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  1. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Electronic Permitting Software

    I used to use Filemaker Pro many years ago. It was a great database program. I thought it was no longer being released?
  2. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Electronic Permitting Software

    Yep, I used it in North Dakota. There were several issues that they couldn't fix and said "We just had to live with it." Not acceptable!
  3. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Electronic Permitting Software

    I have used several electronic permitting and inspection tracking software packages. MyGov wasn't bad but had glitches the software developer simply could not fix and said we had to live with it or work around it. I used to work for IBTS, they were using BluePrince at first and it was so bad...
  4. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    No, I did not keep my license active. It was in California and I let it expire when I moved out of CA. California AIA does not recognize other states for reciprocal licensing so other states do not recognize CA licenses. Not only would I have had to retest in another state the insurance...
  5. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    I am not an engineer but I was an architect before becoming a code official. Sure, I could design and spec materials but I feel that would be a conflict of interest so I do not design anything or act in any capacity as a designer. Stamped lumber makes it easy to determine if a framing member...
  6. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    If it is stamped Stud Grade it should not be used for a header or beam. I believe it isn't the grain so much as the knots that would separate a 4x4 post from a 4x4 header beam.
  7. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    Essentially a check is a split that does not go all the way though the lumber. I found a good article on this subject- http://www.woodscienceconsulting.com/wood-science-consulting-blog-/2015/7/30/checks-and-splits
  8. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    Yes, we have adopted the ICC-400 for solid log homes. And I do use the IBC or WFCM for topics not adequately covered in the IRC.
  9. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    It's not an issue of enforcing the code, it's being enforced, no ungraded lumber is being used for any project that falls under the under the code. I agree that upsizing alone would not suffice if there are excessive knots, splits, checks or cross grain that would weaken the member. We have...
  10. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    I'd be willing to approve any of those measures. At least I would then have an independent evaluation on the lumber. I'd also check it myself in the field when delivered.
  11. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    One would think there should be some form of minimal training or testing at least. Interesting.
  12. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    That's sad. And that's just the type of thing I want to avoid. I could see a competing mill challenging another's use of ungraded lumber on a project they lost the bid on. I have one off grid residence that was approved for the use of lumber logged on site by the previous building official...
  13. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    Thank you for the cost estimate on grading.
  14. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    We are under the 2012 IRC and 802.1.1 refers to blocking with utility grade lumber while 802.1 refers to identification and is the section that the lawyers would get ahold of: R802.1 Identification. Load-bearing dimension lumber for rafters, trusses and ceiling joists shall be identified by a...
  15. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    Good thinking. Along that line I suggested to the largest mill that they stockpile the lumber until they had enough ready cut to make it worth while to bring in a third party lumber grader to grade several stacks but as you noted earlier their niche market is cut to order for non-structural...
  16. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    Yes, the logs in solid log homes are certified. Some come from Mills as far away as Canada as "Kit Homes" with documentation on the whole home, others use individually certified logs.
  17. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    Yes, you are correct in citing IBC 104 as far as I have the authority to approve alternate or used materials, however I would not want to do that without some sort of standard, third party testing, or other form of constraint for consistency. It's not just one sawmill operator that is not...
  18. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    I agree, especially from what I have seen over the last five years. It seems they have lowered grading standards, just by seeing what shows up on jobsites as #2. More knots and rough edges on milled lumber.
  19. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    Unfortunately the sawmill operators are not certified to do that so for now they supply lumber only for non-structural purposes, like furniture making, fences, siding, floor covering, trim, etc. One operator told me it would be in excess of $25K to get certified and of course, insured.
  20. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Use of ungraded rough sawn lumber

    I am curious and trying to get a consensus from other code officials about the use of rough sawn, ungraded lumber from local sawmills for structural projects such as timber frame. I know the code restricts it's use to non structural applications such as paneling and siding but what if it is...
  21. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Employment Opportunities Other than Building Inspector with an IRC Cert?

    You might look into job opportunities with residential developers and design firms. They often employ in house inspectors and plan reviewers.
  22. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Icc building official

    Congratulations on your CBO! It's not an easy one to pass and neither is the Commercial Electrical Inspector. Go for the Residential instead. Cliff Berger books is a good resource and so is Mike Holt's website for electrical, look for Mikeholt.com
  23. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Cutting codes to cut costs of construction

    Not permits, but inspections and plan reviews.
  24. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    Cutting codes to cut costs of construction

    The only place that I have run into gypsum board wall bracing was in Arizona, and Interior braced wall panels using sheetrock were only on very large residences.
  25. Richard Kimball CBO CFM

    When CO2 alarms are required

    Failed Chemistry class?
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