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  1. Nearly-Complete

    Multiple shower control valves?

    I found the commentary to the 2016 Calgreen, and it does allow the specified flow rate to be applied to each valve when multiple valves are installed in the shower: “The maximum flow rate provisions apply to the total amount of water flow resulting from each valve supplying the individual...
  2. Nearly-Complete

    Multiple shower control valves?

    nononono... I’m a plan reviewer trying to enforce the requirement. The applicant is trying to get around the 1.8 gpm requirement. The way Calgreen is written, “...the combined flow rate of all showerheads and/or other shower outlets controlled by a single valve shall not exceed 1.8 gallons per...
  3. Nearly-Complete

    Multiple shower control valves?

    Did you basically trust them not to crank all three valves at once? In this situation, they are freely admitting they want to use the multiple valves/heads at the same time.
  4. Nearly-Complete

    Multiple shower control valves?

    There is an OR there: 1.8 gpm for all the heads on one valve “OR the shower shall be designed to allow only one shower outlet to be in operation at a time.” They are complying with the first half of the OR statement, so I cannot force them to also comply with the second half.
  5. Nearly-Complete

    Multiple shower control valves?

    I added that word, and I’m here to find out if I’m wrong. I probably shouldn’t have used such language if I’m here for a fair interpretation.
  6. Nearly-Complete

    Multiple shower control valves?

    Does the plumbing code allow multiple valves in a shower? Builder wants to circumvent Calgreen by placing multiple shower heads on separate control valves. I agree that the wording of Calgreen would allow this (see below). Does the plumbing code allow multiple valves for a single shower? My...
  7. Nearly-Complete

    Substantial Improvements 4 Units Converted to 3

    Are you talking about flood zone substantial improvement determination? I can’t know how you locals will administer it, but FEMA is looking for the value before the work is started. For anything approaching the 40-50% range I always require a professional appraisal using the cost approach...
  8. Nearly-Complete

    Joist & TGI issue

    This is absolutely not necessary. I am an engineer and I believe I can do a better job when I focus on calculating than spending time drawing. However, I do agree that the engineer should be working closely with the drafter to ensure accuracy, and everything must be well calculated and designed...
  9. Nearly-Complete

    What do you mean my permit expired??

    It is allowed, but requires some other energy code improvements. R-50-something, solar panels, amazing windows with none facing west, or something else to replace the prescriptive high performance attic.
  10. Nearly-Complete

    House natural gas pipe

    Summertime, come home from a day of work and shower while the wife cooks dinner. That’s everyday for four months of the year for me.
  11. Nearly-Complete

    What do you mean my permit expired??

    See Post #23. State law only exempts wood frame construction from the requirement for an engineer/architect. I thought it was any conventional construction and looked up his reference to verify.
  12. Nearly-Complete

    Gross floor area for stairway - which floor?

    I go to the restroom a lot. Don’t F#%! with fixture count.
  13. Nearly-Complete

    Missing Ground Wire - Large Commercial Lighting Project - Exterior / Industrial

    It requires a permit in my jurisdiction, and it would require grounding. It seems unlikely that adding grounding would be infeasible, but I don’t know all the details of your project.
  14. Nearly-Complete

    Solar Power Optimizers and Maximum Inverter Voltage

    Now you know my confusion. In this portion of the circuit the code says to use equipment listed for the voltage output of the string and says to calculate it by summing the open circuit voltages of the series panels. I check that and the voltage is exceeded. 593 Volts into an inverter with max...
  15. Nearly-Complete

    Solar Power Optimizers and Maximum Inverter Voltage

    What happens when optimizers fail?
  16. Nearly-Complete

    Solar Power Optimizers and Maximum Inverter Voltage

    Sorry. My post was really poorly written and I couldn’t figure out how to edit on my phone. There is a code provision that states how to calculate the voltage of the circuit between the panels and inverter. That provision is not met when installing the system per the listed equipment’s...
  17. Nearly-Complete

    Solar Power Optimizers and Maximum Inverter Voltage

    How is it the manufacturer’s worry if there is a code requirement specifically for this scope? So because this is listed equipment it just has to be installed per the manufacturer’s instructions and this discrepancy with the code must have been worked out by the listing agency and deemed safe...
  18. Nearly-Complete

    Solar Power Optimizers and Maximum Inverter Voltage

    SolarEdge tells their designers to design a system based on the maximum power because their optimizers keep everything at the right voltage for the system. https://www.solaredge.com/us/guide-designing-with-solaredge Is this supported by code? CEC 690.7 (a) states that the maximum voltage shall...
  19. Nearly-Complete

    Mini split air handler over breaker box

    Going off memory so I apologize if any errors... If you can make a strong enough case to the AHJ that leaks cannot be a problem, they can approve it. So you really need to ask the AHJ what they think. We would require something passive that will positively direct any leaks away from the panel...
  20. Nearly-Complete

    Inconsistent Enforcement and Responsibility

    Your point is good but your example is bad. ADA issues go well beyond Chapter 11, and a CASp is supposed to know a lot more than one chapter of code. Disabled Access is not a simple issue for a business owner and they do need a way to know that somebody is a subject matter expert when seeking...
  21. Nearly-Complete

    Are sprinklers required for an outdoor assembly area under a metal canopy?

    Thank you. That thread has the discussion I was looking for.
  22. Nearly-Complete

    Are sprinklers required for an outdoor assembly area under a metal canopy?

    If this was enclosed, sprinklers are clearly required: A-2 occupancy with occupant load factor of 15, 1750 square feet, so occupant load of 117 which requires sprinklers per 903.2.1.2. The architect thinks this does not meet the definition of a fire area. The fire chief does. I’m in California...
  23. Nearly-Complete

    ICC premiumACCESS

    Care to enlighten me? My Google-fu is drawing a blank. The three year subscription isn’t bad for somebody like me that would prefer a great electronic version over clunky hard copies. The trick is that the electronic version has to be good.
  24. Nearly-Complete

    ICC premiumACCESS

    Do you use ICC premiumACCESS? Is it easier to use than the free viewer. We are considering replacing our second physical set with a subscription to premium access for the 2019 CA code cycle. Thanks!
  25. Nearly-Complete

    CA Building Officials - What's the Deal.

    A part of what you are referring to may be that CALGreen and CA Energy code do require quite a bit of language and checklists to be directly on the plans. It is pretty annoying because nobody reads those sheets, but I can see the goal for the requirement. So many builders ignore those regs...
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