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  1. Jay

    Looking for NJ residential construction inspector to review shoddy work

    Really appreciate the insight many thanks
  2. Jay

    Looking for NJ residential construction inspector to review shoddy work

    I do not. I have a sentence stating that CA can be performed under separate contract but never got around to doing that. At this point I will be backing away, not getting further involved. Thanks for the suggestion.
  3. Jay

    Looking for NJ residential construction inspector to review shoddy work

    Thanks. I think you have 3/4 of my letter written :)
  4. Jay

    upgrading snow load design

    I always design above the minimum required standards yet still leave the minimum required loads on my chart. For better or worse.
  5. Jay

    Looking for NJ residential construction inspector to review shoddy work

    Good day! I could use some advice and a recommendation. I prepared a very comprehensive set of plans for an old Victorian home at the Jersey Shore. It is a gutt renovation with some additions with probably about a 2 million dollar project cost. The owners hired their "friend" as the...
  6. Jay

    Cure for dirty soffits?

    Thanks for the info! The building thermal envelope is closed cell spray foam. Attic is mostly conditioned space as a habitable half story. The vented soffits are only active passively for the small attic spaces at the roof skirts. I need to get back over there and do some thorough...
  7. Jay

    Cure for dirty soffits?

    Hello all, I have a client with vented soffits which continue to get very dirty in the few years since the home was built. Thought I would share pics and perhaps get some feedback on the cause of this. What is odd is that it only happens with this house, not the neighbors or any other home...
  8. Jay

    Is this vermiculite?

    Thanks a lot very helpful !
  9. Jay

    Is this vermiculite?

    Hello! I am working on a renovation to a small house with 8" CMU exterior walls. No idea if there is any insulation on the wall yet. However the homeowner does find this material on inside bottom of wall every so often. I have not seen or used vermiculite insulation in a while. Any...
  10. Jay

    Ladder requirements for inspector access

    I gave the builder the excerpt from the IMC and he had it on hand when the inspector arrived. Inspector looked at it and reluctantly climbed the temporary ladder that was set up safely. All good! Thanks for the feedback.
  11. Jay

    Ladder requirements for inspector access

    Found it. 2018 IMC 306.5 - Access is required for heights greater than 16 feet. Thanks all!
  12. Jay

    Ladder requirements for inspector access

    Hello all. Curious if anyone knows off hand where I can find the requirements for providing rooftop access for a building / electrical inspector. We have a garage with flat roof about 10 feet above grade and inspector insists we are required to have a permeant ladder affixed to the side of...
  13. Jay

    Insulating small area of roof / ceiling - IECC exemption?

    Thanks for the replies. I emailed the Building Inspector and will see what he has to say.
  14. Jay

    Insulating small area of roof / ceiling - IECC exemption?

    Hello....not doing too much commercial work I am looking for guidance on a small project. Commercial office building has a small 10 x 9 greenhouse type wall/roof assembly that was built in the mid-80's. Owner wants to replace with wood frame assembly with solid roof and new window wall. I...
  15. Jay

    Anyone have experience with Duramax panels for a fire rated wall?

    Absolutely. Appreciate the info. Smoke development of 400 (I am still learning what these figures mean) seems like a LOT of smoke. I advised owner he can use it as a finish material OVER the fire rated rock. I also asked him if he had seen the movie Towering Inferno, which he did! Thanks...
  16. Jay

    Anyone have experience with Duramax panels for a fire rated wall?

    Wondering if anyone is familiar with this product (1/2" PVC panel) as a substitution for sheetrock in a 1 hour rated wall assembly. Product states it is Class A fire rated and has been tested to comply with ASTM E84-15b which, quite frankly, I am not familiar with that test other than just...
  17. Jay

    An addition and substantial improvement

    Agreed on the 50% rule along with an additional "factor" in the equation which I have found varies town by town. , at least here in NJ. Had a project years ago whereby homeowner wanted to add second level to small ranch house. House had basement and had no issues or flooding with Hurricane...
  18. Jay

    Why enforcing your floodplain ordinance matters

    Photos appear that project may have been designed to exceed the BFE. As mentioned, proof is in the pudding.
  19. Jay

    Flood resistant materials below BFE

    Hello all! I am working on a new residential project and our environmental consultant has determined that the principal building will be located completely within Coastal A zone, elevation 10'. One foot freeboard required which puts the DFE, as I understand it, at elevation 11'. Typically...
  20. Jay

    Basement considered a "story" for R3 vs. R5?

    Sorry I wasn't clear. I am looking at IBC 2015 NJ edition
  21. Jay

    Basement considered a "story" for R3 vs. R5?

    Looking for clarification on using VB construction with two full stories above grade along with a half story (habitable attic). Would a full basement that is predominately below grade make this a 3-1/2 story house if classified as R5? Thanks. Edit: Also wondering why R5 occupancy does not...
  22. Jay

    Listening to your client even when they are wrong

    Nice to have some camaraderie and back up, especially being a one man firm over here.
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