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An average day
- Thread starter ICE
- Start date
ICE
Oh Well
I haven't heard from the contractor. I wrote a correction asking them to determine where the water was coming from and stop the flow. I also stated that a camera run is not any good with water running so another inspection with the camera will be required. I passed by there today and took this picture. Apparently they know something that I don't..
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ICE
Oh Well
The inspection was for footing location. He found out that the excavation is too shallow by 12 inches and therefor the re-bar ties are too small.
He found out that friction fit does not apply to reinforcement,
He attended a class on doweling steel....a free course of course.
I may have ruined any prospect of a good evaluation when I told him about temporary power poles.
The gentleman is Chinese and not so good with English. It took a long time to explain the problems.....a really long time and I'm not positive that I got through to him. Luckily, this is in another inspector's territory and I was there for just one day. I might have to take the job anyway for the pictures.
He found out that friction fit does not apply to reinforcement,
He attended a class on doweling steel....a free course of course.
I may have ruined any prospect of a good evaluation when I told him about temporary power poles.
The gentleman is Chinese and not so good with English. It took a long time to explain the problems.....a really long time and I'm not positive that I got through to him. Luckily, this is in another inspector's territory and I was there for just one day. I might have to take the job anyway for the pictures.
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ICE
Oh Well
The inspection was for a water heater. The T&P drains to the pan. I wrote a correction to extend the T&P to the exterior. It isn't far or difficult and will be hidden by foliage. The lady said that the contractor had mentioned that I might require that. He was even nice enough to give her a $600.00 estimate. for two sticks of pipe, four elbows and an hours work if he takes a thirty minute break.
The company is large and services Home Depot customers. They sell an expansion tank with nearly every water heater. Now and then a homeowner will ask me if the code really requires the expansion tank. And wouldn't ya know it, the tanks are $600.00. They must work on commission.
The biggest plumbing contractor around here has hundreds of trucks that are manned with one to two workmen. At the end of the shift the truck is returned to a warehouse. Everything in the truck is counted. Anything that is missing must show up as sold on a work order. If not, the workmen must pay for it.
The radio/internet ad gets the company on your property because your sewer is backed up or there's a water leak. Now they work you over. If the truck doesn't sell $20,000.00 every week the company will send the workmen to a sales school. If that fails well perhaps thievery just isn't a good fit.
The company is large and services Home Depot customers. They sell an expansion tank with nearly every water heater. Now and then a homeowner will ask me if the code really requires the expansion tank. And wouldn't ya know it, the tanks are $600.00. They must work on commission.
The biggest plumbing contractor around here has hundreds of trucks that are manned with one to two workmen. At the end of the shift the truck is returned to a warehouse. Everything in the truck is counted. Anything that is missing must show up as sold on a work order. If not, the workmen must pay for it.
The radio/internet ad gets the company on your property because your sewer is backed up or there's a water leak. Now they work you over. If the truck doesn't sell $20,000.00 every week the company will send the workmen to a sales school. If that fails well perhaps thievery just isn't a good fit.
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linnrg
Sawhorse
ICE - if you have recirculated hot water systems the expansion tank should be installed, I wonder sometimes if the contractors bother to study the principles/logic behind some of the code language. Here in cold country the rule that is interpreted that a T&P must go to the exterior is ignored with approval.
On a past commercial project I found a water heater installed in a closet where the T&P was dripping to one of those little 1/8 hp condensate capture pump and a small hose to a drain receptor Everything in that closet was covered by layers of dust. The leaking T&P had been sending wasted hot water to the sanitary for years. Because the (Outside of the building sewer) line had a sag in it and was shallow when the leak was fixed by an expansion tank properly installed (and T&P replaced) on that circulated hot water line the building sewer froze up! The previous tenants had moved out they were medical offices - needles to say the new tenants pay somewhat less to the gas utility. The building owner had at least saved from having to dig up his sagging sewer line for years!
On a past commercial project I found a water heater installed in a closet where the T&P was dripping to one of those little 1/8 hp condensate capture pump and a small hose to a drain receptor Everything in that closet was covered by layers of dust. The leaking T&P had been sending wasted hot water to the sanitary for years. Because the (Outside of the building sewer) line had a sag in it and was shallow when the leak was fixed by an expansion tank properly installed (and T&P replaced) on that circulated hot water line the building sewer froze up! The previous tenants had moved out they were medical offices - needles to say the new tenants pay somewhat less to the gas utility. The building owner had at least saved from having to dig up his sagging sewer line for years!
ICE
Oh Well
linnrg,
I had not thought about re-circulation systems. That makes sense. I see several in a year.
The contractor relies on code that requires the expansion tank if the system is a closed loop. They claim that a pressure regulator creates a closed loop. My AHJ has never taken that position with SFR. Some apartment buildings have enough pipe in a hot attic that an expansion tank is warranted. Commercial properties generally have a check valve on the potable water system and therefor the expansion tank is required.
I had not thought about re-circulation systems. That makes sense. I see several in a year.
The contractor relies on code that requires the expansion tank if the system is a closed loop. They claim that a pressure regulator creates a closed loop. My AHJ has never taken that position with SFR. Some apartment buildings have enough pipe in a hot attic that an expansion tank is warranted. Commercial properties generally have a check valve on the potable water system and therefor the expansion tank is required.
Here, the residential properties are required to have a check-valve on the potable water service line requiring a pressure controlling devise, like an expansion tank. P2903.4.2
Also there are numerous expansion tanks available for under $100.00.
We will NOT allow PVC pipe (unless rated) or PEX (insert fittings make it smaller than 3/4-inch).
As stated above, generally in a SFD, an expansion tank is unnecessary; commercial always. Exceptions would include re-circulation systems, a PRV, a booster pump, or a water meter with integral backflow preventer. Each of the aforementioned systems prevent the release of pressure within a system. Locally, 2 cities use water meters with a integral backflow preventer (and properly require an expansion tank), and 1 does not unless warranted.
Mr. Inspector
SAWHORSE
No Data Manipulation at NOAA
By Vanessa Schipani
Posted on February 9, 2017 | Updated on September 25, 2017
press release — “Former NOAA Scientist Confirms Colleagues Manipulated Climate Records” — as part of an ongoing dispute over the validity of a paper published in the journal Science in June 2015 by NOAA scientists.
The NOAA study was one of several peer-reviewed studies published in recent years that found the so-called global warming “slowdown” did not occur. The studies countered the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2013 assessment report, which suggested a slowdown in global warming had occurred.
The Republican press release was issued a day after John Bates, a former NOAA scientist not involved with the study, published a blog post that accused the paper’s lead author, Thomas R. Karl, former director of NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, of having “his ‘thumb on the scale’— in the documentation, scientific choices, and release of datasets—in an effort to discredit the notion of a global warming hiatus.”
Prompted by Bates’ blog post, the press release issued by Republicans accused Karl and his co-authors of data manipulation. “I applaud Dr. Bates’s efforts in uncovering the truth of this data manipulation,” Illinois Rep. Darin LaHood, chairman of the oversight subcommittee, said in the press release.
The committee also repeatedly tweeted about the incident, citing a misleading articlepublished in the British tabloid the Daily Mail that made the same accusations, and retweeted similarly misleading articles by Fox News and the National Review (see update below).
But in interviews with the Associated Press and E&E, an online energy and environmental news outlet, Bates said he had not accused his colleagues of data manipulation.
Bates told the AP on Feb. 6 that there was “no data tampering, no data changing, nothing malicious” involved with his colleagues’ study. “It’s not trumped up data in any way shape or form,” he said.
Read more at https://www.factcheck.org/2017/02/no-data-manipulation-at-noaa/
By Vanessa Schipani
Posted on February 9, 2017 | Updated on September 25, 2017
press release — “Former NOAA Scientist Confirms Colleagues Manipulated Climate Records” — as part of an ongoing dispute over the validity of a paper published in the journal Science in June 2015 by NOAA scientists.
The NOAA study was one of several peer-reviewed studies published in recent years that found the so-called global warming “slowdown” did not occur. The studies countered the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2013 assessment report, which suggested a slowdown in global warming had occurred.The Republican press release was issued a day after John Bates, a former NOAA scientist not involved with the study, published a blog post that accused the paper’s lead author, Thomas R. Karl, former director of NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, of having “his ‘thumb on the scale’— in the documentation, scientific choices, and release of datasets—in an effort to discredit the notion of a global warming hiatus.”
Prompted by Bates’ blog post, the press release issued by Republicans accused Karl and his co-authors of data manipulation. “I applaud Dr. Bates’s efforts in uncovering the truth of this data manipulation,” Illinois Rep. Darin LaHood, chairman of the oversight subcommittee, said in the press release.
The committee also repeatedly tweeted about the incident, citing a misleading articlepublished in the British tabloid the Daily Mail that made the same accusations, and retweeted similarly misleading articles by Fox News and the National Review (see update below).
But in interviews with the Associated Press and E&E, an online energy and environmental news outlet, Bates said he had not accused his colleagues of data manipulation.
Bates told the AP on Feb. 6 that there was “no data tampering, no data changing, nothing malicious” involved with his colleagues’ study. “It’s not trumped up data in any way shape or form,” he said.
Read more at https://www.factcheck.org/2017/02/no-data-manipulation-at-noaa/
linnrg
Sawhorse
my days are the opposite average of ICE's.
Yesterday while doing a Final Inspection, the client (a State Trooper) was walking the home with me. His nice wife walked up behind us and said "I am going to the store - do you need me to get anything?" I quickly said "yes get beer!" Lots of laughs (they have know me for quite a few years). I think it was last year while I was writing a check to get my fishing & hunting license when this voice from behind me said "I WOULD not take a check from that guy!" - the very young clerk looked up at me with genuine concern. I turned around and said to the clerk - " don't mind him he is just a state trooper".
Yesterday while doing a Final Inspection, the client (a State Trooper) was walking the home with me. His nice wife walked up behind us and said "I am going to the store - do you need me to get anything?" I quickly said "yes get beer!" Lots of laughs (they have know me for quite a few years). I think it was last year while I was writing a check to get my fishing & hunting license when this voice from behind me said "I WOULD not take a check from that guy!" - the very young clerk looked up at me with genuine concern. I turned around and said to the clerk - " don't mind him he is just a state trooper".
ICE
Oh Well
No. Never in a pan and between 6” to 20” above grade .....outside.
ICE
Oh Well
Several more inspections were requested and nothing new took place. I finally asked for a re-inspection fee which was paid and another inspection requested. As before, the contractor insisted that the flashing is installed correctly and is over the lower tile. A piece of tile was removed to show me.
I asked to see a little more. Another piece of tile was removed. Now I can see that sheet metal has been added to make it look like the flashing runs over the lower tile....which was an effort to make it look less wrong but not right..
There was but one tile to go. And there I find exposed wood.
The work was done by a sub-contractor to a solar contractor. Both contractors have mounted a campaign to have me banned from inspecting their work. I reckon that they deserve each other and if it wasn't for the owner I would agree.
What I don’t understand is how they stay in business. Granted, most of the corrections that I hand them are electrical in nature and nobody sees them but me and a few other inspectors. So in the long run, those corrections don’t make much difference but the damage they do to roofs is out there for all to see.
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ICE
Oh Well
The job is solar install. The inverter is at the right of the door. There is a disconnect to the left of the door. It is 4' from the water's edge.
The switch, receptacle and nmc is energized. The extension between the meter and the socket is where a line side tap occurred. It has Edison's lock and tag. The installer had to move the hanging switch out of the way to complete the work. The service drop is 10' above the pool.
The Governor wants to do this to a million homes. He must not like homeowners. Considering the property tax the state hauls in you'd think he would show a little more respect.
The switch, receptacle and nmc is energized. The extension between the meter and the socket is where a line side tap occurred. It has Edison's lock and tag. The installer had to move the hanging switch out of the way to complete the work. The service drop is 10' above the pool.
The Governor wants to do this to a million homes. He must not like homeowners. Considering the property tax the state hauls in you'd think he would show a little more respect.
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ICE
Oh Well
Here’s two ways to get it wrong.
It isn't a code violation but I did mention it. I'll be on vacation for the next two weeks so I will never know if it was fixed.
It isn't a code violation but I did mention it. I'll be on vacation for the next two weeks so I will never know if it was fixed.
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ICE
Oh Well
Owner builder wanted to know if this is okay.
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Poor Oakland
In the news again. Maybe they should let another city take them over
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...eless-mans-camp-lake-merritt-video/694005002/
conarb
Registered User
It does look like junk, but I'm sure the guy will be arrested for throwing it into the lake. I've built a lot in Oakland, even apartments that rented for under $100 a month in the 50s and 60s, but nothing with codes and regulations like they have now.
ICE
Oh Well
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ICE
Oh Well
A couple times each year I will be called out for a plumbing inspection where the pipe is not glued.
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ICE
Oh Well
2/0 wire
The contractor kept referring to the guy that did this as his electrician.
When I got to the closet he told me that his electrician assured him that this is legal as long as they agree to not use the closet.
There's a kitchen and two bathroom remodel going on. I wrote 29 corrections and thought of two more while looking at the pictures. The so-called electrician won’t be back.
Another inspector wrote a correction to expose the underfloor plumbing that was installed and covered without inspection. So they removed the floor sheathing. The plumbing is smothered in concrete. The rest of the house is raised floor framing.
The contractor kept referring to the guy that did this as his electrician.
When I got to the closet he told me that his electrician assured him that this is legal as long as they agree to not use the closet.
There's a kitchen and two bathroom remodel going on. I wrote 29 corrections and thought of two more while looking at the pictures. The so-called electrician won’t be back.
Another inspector wrote a correction to expose the underfloor plumbing that was installed and covered without inspection. So they removed the floor sheathing. The plumbing is smothered in concrete. The rest of the house is raised floor framing.
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ICE
Oh Well
The inspection was for windows. I knocked on the door and nobody but a pack of dogs answered. I rang the doorbell. Still nothing. I started to write a slip when the doorbell said, "Can I help you?" I introduced myself. The doorbell said, "Hold on, I'll call my husband". Three minutes later the doorbell barked to life with, "I have been trying to call your office to find out when you will be there. I'm only twenty minutes away. I'll leave right now."
The barker said that I can see the windows from the outside If I will just go in the back yard. So I did that.
I wrote a correction or two. I put it at the front door. I was ten feet away when the doorbell said, "Hey! I'm still here. What happened"?
The doorbell has an eye as well as a mouth.
I started with there is no flashing when the doorbell cut me off........
"Not the window, the framing is what you are inspecting".
Perhaps I'm selfish but I just didn't want to explain corrections to an angry doorbell.
The barker said that I can see the windows from the outside If I will just go in the back yard. So I did that.
I wrote a correction or two. I put it at the front door. I was ten feet away when the doorbell said, "Hey! I'm still here. What happened"?
The doorbell has an eye as well as a mouth.
I started with there is no flashing when the doorbell cut me off........
"Not the window, the framing is what you are inspecting".
Perhaps I'm selfish but I just didn't want to explain corrections to an angry doorbell.
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ICE
Oh Well
The permit states "Replace the forced air furnace located in the garage". This is the front door.
This is the furnace:
This is the furnace:
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