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    ISA

    You don't need the wall sign at all. If you do provide one, then it must comply with tactile sign requirements. Although it does not need to say all gender, or have the pictograms, the sign in the photo looks fine.
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    An average day

    I miss Ice too, hope all is well. You are an inspiration.
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    Gender Neutral Restooms

    Thanks for the google search Mark, but the question is are the actually required? We know the sign shops would be happy to sell them to us, but does AB-1732 mandate this type of language? What do the lawyers say?
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    Renovating restrooms for access, reduce fixture counts.

    In order to remodel a multi-stall restroom to make it accessible, it is very common that the solution requires removing at least one toilet, and often a lavatory as well, in order to create enough space for the accessible toilet stall. So this is in conflict with the plumbing code required...
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    Gender Neutral Restooms

    I disagree that the tactile sign would need to include the word "gender" or any variation on that. It could just say "RESTROOM." The California AB-1732 says that single accommodation restrooms "shall be identified as all-gender toilet facilities by signage that complies with Title 24 of the...
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    Stair handrail - Set to outside of treads?

    There is no need for guard, landscape slopes up with stair on both sides, no problem with width between rails. Just to make installation easier, would like to set rail posts in concrete or bolt to side of existing stair structure. Code is silent it seems.
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    Stair handrail - Set to outside of treads?

    2013 CA Bldg Code. Chapter 1012 and 11B-505...both are silent on the relative position of a handrail to the side edge of a stairway. Can railing be just off to the side of treads? Say 2" just outside? Or do they need to be directly above stair walking surface?
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    More Stringent Seismic Zone

    While this is technically true, there is also the option that a more detailed and site specific seismic analysis may be performed for an area that actually result in lower seismic design values than those provided by the USGS maps. The AHJ may approve the results of such a report for use in the...
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    Restriping Parking Spaces

    How does this fit with CBC 11B-204.4 Exception 5 ? "Alterations of existing parking lots by resurfacing and/or restriping shall be limited to the actual scope of work of the project and shall not be required to comply with Section 11 B-202.4." So say I have a parking lot, it does not serve any...
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    Fake engineers

    I wonder if they fake stamped and signed R3 Single Family Dwellings that did not even require a RDP in the first place!?!...
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    Fire Extinguisher - Go out door and down hall to get to it?

    In California. Public facility, Title 19 applies. The max. travel distance is 75 feet. Fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view. Except in large rooms and in certain locations where visual obstruction cannot be completely avoided, means shall be provided to indicate...
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    Job Site Trailers...ADA 203.2 & CBC 201.4

    Just the typical job trailer...mostly used by the superintendent, no actual meeting rooms, but yes some meetings occur in there. But it is not a modular office unit, just a pull-behind trailer with a pre-fab metal stair and landing pushed against the door. Seems like DSA is pretty clear, it is...
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    Job Site Trailers...ADA 203.2 & CBC 201.4

    California 11B-203.2 and ADA 203.2 both include the exemption from accessibility req's for construction job-site trailers and portable toilets. But the exemption revolves around the phrase "directly associated with the actual processes of construction." So CA went and created 11B-201.4 which...
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    5lbs - 309.4

    This is a real problem, 5 lbs is too low of a threshold, it is a problem every time. Even with a master caprenter adjusting the door and hardware, dialing down the closer...Better off with no closer at all.
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    2nd unit

    No, not a change of use, I'd say. Sprinklers not req'd, at least not yet.
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    Townhouse

    Look again. You need to look at Ch.11A, Housing Accessibility, section 1102A.3 for Multistory Units. There are requirements there. Any single story units would be considered "Covered Multifamily Units" Funding source may trigger UFAS. ADA is applicable for a leasing office, including parking...
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    2nd unit

    I would say the exception applies and fire sprinklers not required. It is not a new building, and making it into two dwelling does not change that.
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    Water Heaters

    I would not allow doors through attic draft stops, even if only accessed through gable end by personel. CBC 718.4.2 says need draft stops in attics unless you meet the exceptions listed. If the sprinkler system is NFPA 13, or 13R with heads in attic (regardless if gas or electric w/h) then no...
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    Lincoln man sues city over restroom access

    Seems like one of the legitimate claims.
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    An average day

    That is called "low impact development" LID for short, funny business in CA.
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    Bathroom Fans through the soffit??

    Well in my experience with most engineers, they don't really know either, they are just making stuff up half the time...but they stamp and sign and it shall be so...
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    Town House Smoke Detector Circuit

    I don't see a code justification for rejecting it. But I also don't see why the applicant doesn't just do the smart and simple change and connect to circuit in the unit specific panel...
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    Town House Smoke Detector Circuit

    No, townhouses are not on separate lots by definition. They can be on the same lot per IRC. No need to keep fighting that fact.
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    Light-framed 3-hour interior load-bearing firewall with large eccentric loads.

    Where does the 3-hr fire wall come from? Specifically which occupancies are being separated? Why is it not just a 1-hr fire restitance rating?
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    IPC 607.1 temperature limiting device question

    Thanks for the follow up, seems to me your thought process is valid and fair. Can't argue with that. You are right that making interpretations on perceived "intent" of the code is a slippery slope...in this case it does say "or."
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