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  1. I

    LOOKING FOR BUILDING STANDARDS BOOKS

    There is also a document from the American Wood Council - Design for Code Acceptance #6 that outlines deck construction. With a coffee shop, residential codes would not apply.
  2. I

    Old codes

    In reviewing the 1954 document, it is sad that I seem to understand the older codes easier than the newer codes. The old codes had commentary and diagrams in the code which made it easy to understand. Now days, it seems that everyone is looking for the exceptions to the rules instead of...
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    School Time-Out Room

    SiFu - you indicate locking the door from the outside. If someone from the inside can egress, then the door can be locked from the outside corridor. Is this a special lock to limit access for certain staff? If egress is prohibited or limited from the inside, totally different rules. Curious to...
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    Advice for Code Violations

    By getting it in front of judge, the judge can mandate inspections to determine the condition of the structure. If there is no active building permit, I do not believe there is a right of entry. We have statement on our permits indicating that I can enter a property at reasonable times to...
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    Advice for Code Violations

    Get this in front of a judge as a building with expired or no permits. Have the judge decide what action needs to be completed for the project to continue or be removed. Present enough evidence from a public way so you do not have trespass charges against you. I would try to confirm how and when...
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    Code Compliant Water Heater?

    This is actually a dual purpose installation. It provides a hydronic heating loop to reduce the ambient temperature in the immediate area of the water heater while at the same time reducing the amount of water cavitation created when installing 90-degree elbows in a system. Thank goodness the...
  7. I

    Modified Breaker Box Rental Inspection

    Is that a metal cover? It almost looks a fiber material like floor tile. I would have an issue with this because it has been modified so much, and I would certainly expect the owner to remove the covers to see what is going on behind these panels. A replacement cover should be available...
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    Fire rated ceiling

    In review of a fire rated assembly, GA File No. FC 5750, I do not see any requirement for the individual layers of gypsum board to be mud/taped between layers. Is there a specific location that this requirement is found or is it not required because of the staggered joint application? Thank you.
  9. I

    Does the building code still apply in this scenario?

    Our fire department had smoke machines that did not use open flame so we would smoke the h*ll out them. We have had them for 15 years and installed infrared cameras inside to monitor the teams doing the drill. The community helped out and a local welding shop constructed a metal platform on one...
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    Does the building code still apply in this scenario?

    Understanding that an NFPA standard has to be legally adopted, however if someone gets injured or worst, where will the finger pointing start. Just threw that out there for consideration. As the former safety officer on our department, I would allow as much search and rescue drills as they...
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    Does the building code still apply in this scenario?

    As a caveat, this type of a set up would be regulated by NFPA standards for firefighting and live burn scenarios. We have set up the same thing in our community without the live burn because of all the regulations involved. I do not remember exact NFPA standard, but I am think 1492????
  12. I

    Fire Resistive corridor

    I am confused regarding a fire resistive corridor in an E occupancy. Current code IBC 2012 Edition. Table 1018.1 requires 1-hour fire resistive construction, put does not specifically list opening protection. Table 716.5 indicates 20-minute doors for corridor wall. Section 716.5.9 indicates that...
  13. I

    Corridor width

    Exit passageway is an interesting twist, but I think when the State Fire Marshall reviews it, they will not agree. If the State does not grant an exemption, then the owner will have to revise the construction after deciding who is going to pay for it. I am hopeful that the State would allow the...
  14. I

    Corridor width

    Doors from the classrooms swing in due to individual occupant load. Yes, the project is built and apparently someone did not check dimensions of "from wall finish" and went from rough framing. No-one claiming to be a general contractor, so finger pointing all around. I am looking at it for an...
  15. I

    Corridor width

    What is the history behind E occupancies requiring 72" corridor width when other occupancies can be as small as 44" safe I occupancies. Is it because of hallway lockers and students standing around in the hallways. I have an E occupancy that measures 70" corridors and trying to justify a...
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    Ticketing Question- Code violations

    I think the main concern would be can the fine be applied to each violation or will the judge consider the totality of the violation as one fine. Changes a $250 fine to a potential $5000 fine plus. In our area, if there is not a ticket, it is not considered in the total amount of fine. Our local...
  17. I

    Sorry, another frontage/open space question.

    Are you considering exiting provisions or allowable increase considerations?
  18. I

    Location of label on fire rated door

    Is it acceptable to have the label for a 20-minute rated fire door on the top of the door slab as opposed to the side. I have always seen them on the hinge side of the door slab and am questioning whether a slab has been modified. Maybe they put them on top so there is less chance of getting...
  19. I

    GIS Services and Integration

    Our IT guy actually set up our permitting software to bring in property owner information and create a pop up warning if located in a flood zone. In the past 12 years, I think it only errored 1 time. He also grips every time I ask for a revision or update on the form functions. That is what he...
  20. I

    Rafters 4 feet on center

    I am amazed at the knowledge on this site and the willingness to get into spirited debates. After discussion with the owner, he determined that he would follow the "Kings Domain" theory and take the chance on 4 foot centers. I told him my inspection notes would indicate the modification and not...
  21. I

    Rafters 4 feet on center

    For clarification, the rafters are intended to be 2x10 spaced 48" on center, with 2x4 purlins nailed on top of the 2x10 rafters, then 1/2 OSB decking applied to the purlins.
  22. I

    Rafters 4 feet on center

    An owner wants to put a lean-to onto an existing building. He has proposed rafter at 4 foot on center with 2x4 flat purlins for roof decking. Since there are no guidelines in the Residential Building Code, is there any available standards for this. Seems senseless to hire engineer for a 10 foot...
  23. I

    PVC in return air plenum

    Sorry, commercial structure, PVC for waste stack, pex tubing for water distribution. Looks like I need to check the listing on the PEX tubing for UL standard. Thanks for the guidance.
  24. I

    PVC in return air plenum

    Where the space above the ceiling is used as return air, how should the PCV piping or pex water lines be protected?
  25. I

    Options for dealing with hostile complainants (most extreme)

    Why are you wasting time with the tenant instead of the building owner. The building owner is the one that gets cited for any violations that need to be addressed. If the tenant is being evicted, work out arrangements with the building owner to re-inspect after vacancy and fix any problems...
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