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  1. M

    Reasons Why Building Permit Application Packages are Rejected by Permit Technicians

    The Feds will never unify the permit process since building regulations are one of the things reserved for the States. If there is a desire for uniformity within a state this can be provided by the state Legislature What we do have is the model codes developed by ICC which most if not all...
  2. M

    Condo Tenant Improvement IBC or IRC?

    The building codes are not based on who owns the building. Did the jurisdiction even adopt the IRC?
  3. M

    Windows Keep Falling Out of Skyscrapers - Why [video]

    We do not even know why the problem occurred and we are already determing who was at fault., and this is from somebody who would claim governmental immunity.
  4. M

    Windows Keep Falling Out of Skyscrapers - Why [video]

    Very likely that the cause of the problem is somebody did not coordinate the expected drift with the window details, or the workmen did not follow the construction documents. Other possibilities could be the actual wind speeds were in excess of what the code required, birds impacting the...
  5. M

    Why Building Officials and Plans Examiners Should Be Familiar With and Have Access to ASCE-7

    What is your role ? Inspectors that are just checking for compliance with the construction documents probably do not need to look at ASCE 7. On the other hand if your role includes plan checking then you likely need to have access to ASCE 7. The plan checking should be completed prior to...
  6. M

    Why Building Officials and Plans Examiners Should Be Familiar With and Have Access to ASCE-7

    A plans examiner who deals with structural issues and does not have access to ASCE 7 is not qualified to be a plans examiner. This would be similar to a building official not having a copy of the building code.
  7. M

    Concrete Foundation Cracks.

    This thread is a good example of the differences between building codes and civil law. The building code does not address all issues of concern to the owner. I hear no code reason for the jurisdiction requiring an engineer to resolve questions regards the cracks. It appears that the ACI...
  8. M

    Shouldn't my architect know the building use codes and not need to call zoning?

    Obviously the Owner and the architect are incompatable.
  9. M

    Breakaway CMU Walls in VE Flood Zones

    I refer you to the 10th amendment to the US Constitution: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The US Constitution does not delegate building codes to the Federal...
  10. M

    Breakaway CMU Walls in VE Flood Zones

    What is described is not universal for all jurisdictions. In some cities do not have a SEMA and in some states the ability to impose local requirements can be limited.
  11. M

    Breakaway CMU Walls in VE Flood Zones

    Since when does the building department enforce federal law (CFR)? Building codes are reserved for the states to adopt and enforce. I assume we are not talking about a federally funded project. I agree that this does not appear to be a breakaway wall. The wall will likely resist more load...
  12. M

    When the Contractor Does Not Follow Specs from the Engineer

    The engineer interacts with all of the players including the building department and their inspectors. From the engineer's perspective sometimes, it is the building official that appears to claim GOD given powers. The engineer is not aware of everything the contractor does and has no direct...
  13. M

    When the Contractor Does Not Follow Specs from the Engineer

    The building department approves the permit. In this context "approve" is the appropriate term. If the work is not in accordance with the permit documents then it either must be made to comply with the permit or the design professional will need to submit a change order, modifying the permit...
  14. M

    Closing Off a Gas Fireplace

    Cap off the gas line. Put a cap on the chimney and install the drywall.
  15. M

    Large generator serving 12 story assisted living installed 10 from property line, 13 feet from my front porch

    The building code does not address all concerns. So you need to find another approach. Talk with an attorney and make the point that there is a nuisance. This does not require that there needs to be a building code violation but you will need to retain consultants to evaluate the noise and...
  16. M

    Large generator serving 12 story assisted living installed 10 from property line, 13 feet from my front porch

    Talk to an attorney and likely an architect. What laws are being violated? It is not clear that this is a building code issue.
  17. M

    Code Requirements for Retaining Wall Drainage

    The more I hear the more I believe you need to talk to an attorney. There are problems that the contractor is not interested in addressing so how do you provide pressure? The building code has requirements for obtaining a permit but does not address how to resolve these problems. Thus you...
  18. M

    Plywood over metal decking?

    Youd will likely be best served if you consult with an Architect.
  19. M

    Code Requirements for Retaining Wall Drainage

    Do not believe this is a problem/concern that the building code is well suited to resolve. Talk to an attorney. . Was drainage required by the building permit? What current problems are you dealing with that are the result of a lack of drainage.
  20. M

    Introduction and quick question

    Just because the plan checker and the first inspector did not identify a code violation what makes you believe that you do not have a code violation?
  21. M

    R408.6 Clarification

    This is an argument that the building department cannot require you to install the drainage system. The problem is that the water in the soil doesn't care what the building code says.
  22. M

    R408.6 Clarification

    Unless the contractor had a design obligation the contractor is only responsible for building according to what was required by the construction documents. Who decided not to follow the geotechnical engineer's recommendations? Did the Owner play any role in deciding not to install the...
  23. M

    Empowering Building Officials: Clarifying the Authority to Adopt Policies and Procedures

    If not compelled or prohibited by law the decision is to be made by the applicant.
  24. M

    Empowering Building Officials: Clarifying the Authority to Adopt Policies and Procedures

    We have made progress since we are now concerned with what the regulations say instead of policies and procedures. Keep in mind that there is a legal doctrine that says a law is void if it is vague and subject to arbitrary interpretations. There are risks in life. The commentaries to building...
  25. M

    R408.6 Clarification

    Talk with the geotechnical engineer. Then install a drainage system.
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