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  1. RickAstoria

    24" O.C vs 16" O.C exterior load bearing wall

    IIRC about Alaska laws regarding architectural/engineering title, practice, and licensing requirements, non-prescriptive elements would be something that may require an engineer. The building code may require it but this depends on a lot a factors of the design not just what was stated in the...
  2. RickAstoria

    24" O.C vs 16" O.C exterior load bearing wall

    Aside from the function/spatial requirements, you are not limited to the 2x4 or 2x6 stud dimensions but your top plates might need to be a little more stout if you are going to support multiple floors. The header functions in all purposes like a beam between the studs (which in all truth are...
  3. RickAstoria

    Unresponsive Inspector

    Usually walls in-line under the truss's bottom chord is not required to be load-bearing. This is because trusses do not usually require continuous load-bearing support running in-line with the truss. Typical roof trusses are bearing load on each end within 5-ft. from the end of the trusses on...
  4. RickAstoria

    Unresponsive Inspector

    It's stamped by an engineer. Consult the engineer and do accordingly. Any window or door under the 'hatched' "continuous bearing support" should have header beams over the window. The areas that do not have a continuous bearing support requirement, does not necessarily require header beams over...
  5. RickAstoria

    Unresponsive Inspector

    The truss is just the trusses. It is not the wall. The picture doesn't show the wall itself. Typically, the load bearing walls would be running in the same direction as those cantilevered overhang supports and at a point likely where the gable end truss top chord joins the bottom chord. No wall...
  6. RickAstoria

    storage shed less than 120 SF

    I would support a change in language of the that exemption and support that.... basically building footprint including usable area under roof projection. This would be similar to how ground area (under Oregon's architect licensing laws and that board's administrative rules defines. Maybe we can...
  7. RickAstoria

    storage shed less than 120 SF

    In short, I agree with you that "Building Area" definition is more correct to intent because it's definition IS the definition used for Floor Area in the Uniform Building Codes and 105.2.1 provisions was carried over from the UBC into the I-codes about 20 years ago. This would actually be the...
  8. RickAstoria

    storage shed less than 120 SF

    The particular section: "Section 105.2 1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 m2)." That is why I didn't use "building area". Honestly, "Building Area" would fit...
  9. RickAstoria

    Designer of plans that seeks a license

    There's no definition in Chapter 2 of OSSC or ORSC or any Definition section of any of Oregon's specialty codes that defines "non-professional".
  10. RickAstoria

    Designer of plans that seeks a license

    I remember this.... the word "architect" predates licensing laws. As a matter of fact, the work is derived from the Latin translation of the Greek word "Arkhitekton" which Arkhi- part mean "arch" like in the title 'archbishop'..... as in chief, principal, master and the other part.... "tekton...
  11. RickAstoria

    Designer of plans that seeks a license

    Yeah, "Certified Professional Building Designer" is a FEDERAL TRADEMARK.... CERTIFICATION MARK that the American Institute of Building Design holds the trademark and technically the AIBD via their "National Council of Building Designer Certification" licenses (as in trademark license under...
  12. RickAstoria

    storage shed less than 120 SF

    Note: This 120 sq.ft. limit or even the 200 sq.ft. limit for certain things exempt from building permits under IRC does not apply to zoning permit and other reviews of your local city or county/parish. What is exempt under one area of local law is not necessarily exempt from permits under...
  13. RickAstoria

    storage shed less than 120 SF

    To correct myself, the gross floor area would be an interior measurement but also may including measuring usable areas not surrounded by exterior walls under the horizontal projection of the roof. Gross Floor Area would result in a number much closer to that of the UBC and includes all floor...
  14. RickAstoria

    storage shed less than 120 SF

    Look to Chapter 2 Definitions for floor area. Go by gross floor area unless otherwise indicated. Why? Virtually all building officials and building departments and local jurisdictions are going to lean to the particular definition that will provide for the least you can do without a permit...
  15. RickAstoria

    Unresponsive Inspector

    Any wall intended to support weight is loadbearing walls. Non-load bearing walls are not zero-load bearing wall. It supports itself and will incidentally support some load that by a structural design reason, if non-load bearing walls were removed, the structural systems would not collapse. They...
  16. RickAstoria

    Unresponsive Inspector

    The ends of the gable truss would be bearing but trusses are generally design to free-span without intermediate supports. Otherwise, it is not a proper truss when we are talking about "truss" roofs. The gable end exterior walls don't normally require header BEAMS (just a simple flat 2x4 or 2x6...
  17. RickAstoria

    Building Designer (Unlicensed) - "forum"

    Actually, in Washington state, you can design small commercial buildings not exceeding 4,000 sq.ft.
  18. RickAstoria

    Building Designer (Unlicensed) - "forum"

    "A registered engineer or architect who works with a building designer needs to be very careful to make sure that he does not inadvertently becomes responsible for some aspects of the building designers work." I agree with you. It would actually be both ways. We don't want to inadvertently...
  19. RickAstoria

    Building Designer (Unlicensed) - "forum"

    Continuation: In some local jurisdictions where all plans must bear a stamp or seal, but under state law, houses and some types of other structures are exempt, plans for a house, prepared by a CPBD should be considered an acceptable alternative to an architect or engineer, in those...
  20. RickAstoria

    Building Designer (Unlicensed) - "forum"

    California had what was called a "registered building designer". Those that were "registered building designers" who were in practice for a certain number of years were transitioned into an "architect" license as part of some sort of sunsetting provision. Otherwise, those designers were no...
  21. RickAstoria

    Building Designer (Unlicensed) - "forum"

    Mark K, since you are an engineer, you are probably quite familiar with engineers working as consultants to architects and are likewise consultants to building designers. As a designer, I rather have engineers as consultants than architects because engineers are more willing to work as a...
  22. RickAstoria

    Holding the Inspectors and Building Department Accountable?

    The reason there is the "write it cite it" is that law enforcement (which the building departments are a form of) are required to be transparent about what you are charged with. If a police officer is writing you a traffic ticket, they are required to state what the traffic violation is...
  23. RickAstoria

    Holding the Inspectors and Building Department Accountable?

    Personally, I call it for what it is. "F" worrrying if their emotions are hurt or they have a buttache over it. They are adults and therefore should be able to manage and control their "feelings" as that's part of becoming adults. They either meet or do not meet the requirements. No sense in...
  24. RickAstoria

    Holding the Inspectors and Building Department Accountable?

    To steveray, If the code section is clear and plainly understood, you can probably state what it say. The idea is in stating your interpretation of that code that you are clear, concise, about what is required and why it is required. Some codes are linked to other codes so you could clearly...
  25. RickAstoria

    Building Designer (Unlicensed) - "forum"

    Building designers do what architect do but their limits are generally on project types or size. Work that requires a license is what is not exempt. Yes, the exemptions can be amended through legislation for what building designers who are certified can do (yet still limited in scope). I can...
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