An average day

[ICE]

The contractor is the owner/flipper. He changed 14 windows. Initially he installed retrofit windows in rough framed openings. That won't work so he replaced them with new construction windows. (windows with a nail flange) He is a general building contractor that only does commercial work. Even so you would think that they could figure out lath and windows.

 

[e hilton]

A house flipper hired this guy to perform a bunch of work. The work racked up over twenty corrections and I didn't inspect the furnace or el service upgrade because those items were done without a permit. So since they have an approved plan

Is that the contractor wearing a Ferrari shirt?

If the furnace andf electrical were upgraded without the required permit, why couldn't you have red tagged the project?

I have bee on the re3ceiving end of the approved plans and then the field inspector finds something that was missed. Really sucks, and I can understand why they want a free pass. Considering how much the permit and plan review fees have been increasing, and the awfully long time it takes to get plans back from plan review, it's a bit hard to understand why something like that was missed.

 

[ICE]

Is that the contractor wearing a Ferrari shirt? If the furnace andf electrical were upgraded without the required permit, why couldn't you have red tagged the project?

I have bee on the re3ceiving end of the approved plans and then the field inspector finds something that was missed. Really sucks, and I can understand why they want a free pass. Considering how much the permit and plan review fees have been increasing, and the awfully long time it takes to get plans back from plan review, it's a bit hard to understand why something like that was missed.

The plan for a window change out is one sheet and is plan checked over the counter. Sill height is seldom shown on the plan. It's up to the applicant to know basic codes.

 

[e hilton]

is one sheet and is plan checked over the counter.

Even more reason to not miss it. One sheet ... can't be a whole lot to check.

Sill height is seldom shown on the plan.

But if it's clear that windows are being changed, and complying with egress codes is mandatory, maybe that's something that needs to be required on the plans.

It's up to the applicant to know basic codes. True. But mistakes happen. The drawer of the plans probably knew that and simply forgot to add the note, one would think the contractor would know the requirement but most simply build to the plans ... sometimes.

Sidebar: we're building out space on the first floor of a 5 story mixed use building, brand new, we're the first occupant. Developer's architect did not think through the need for freion lines to the roof, or exhaust fan chases. There are shafts dedicated to the freon lines, but no way to access the shafts except at the ceiling of the first floor and the roof. We're fighting the base building architect about the need to secure the freon lines at the proper intervals (every 10 ft, i think). Problem is the shafts pass through apartments on the upper floors, the walls are complete and painted and the developer doesn't want us to cut holes in the shaft walls to anchor the lines. Apartments are not occupied yet. After much cussin & discussin we simply cut holes in the shafts as needed, it was delaying our work.

So now we're negotiating how to repair the access holes. Base building architect says to add an access door. We say fine, tell us what model. He says use anything. We point out that 1: he is the architect of record, if it's done wrong it's on his stamp, 2: the shafts are UL rated, shouldn't the access doors also be properly rated? He finally saw the issue. Then we point out that the UL wall type on the oplans calls for 1" shaft liner on the shaft side, then a gap for the studs, filled with insulation, then 2 layers of 5/8 rock ... and by the way mr architect of record, there is no insulation in the cavity and only one layer of rock ... maybe you better have a converssation with the GC.

 

[MASSDRIVER]

If you don't have a xxx- by 3-6 window, you probably don't have an egress window. One of those red flag things that everybody in the pipeline should know.

Brent.

 

[ICE]

is one sheet and is plan checked over the counter. Even more reason to not miss it. One sheet ... can't be a whole lot to check.

Sill height is seldom shown on the plan.

But if it's clear that windows are being changed, and complying with egress codes is mandatory, maybe that's something that needs to be required on the plans.

It's up to the applicant to know basic codes. True. But mistakes happen. The drawer of the plans probably knew that and simply forgot to add the note, one would think the contractor would know the requirement but most simply build to the plans ... sometimes.

I agree with you about providing information to applicants. We are after all, nothing more than the purveyors of information.

There are a number of common mistakes that could be addressed by handouts. The handout could be stapled to the permit and plans. The reasons that we don't do that are many.

Where does it stop? How much instruction is enough? How much is too much? If we show them one way to accomplish something are we obligated to show them all of the other ways to reach the same result? What liability do we take on? We've been doing it this way ever since the creation of the building code. That's more work than plan checkers are willing to do. Let the inspectors deal with it.

There have been more than a few instances where I started to give advice at the counter and was rudely rebuffed. Some people take it as an insult. So unless I am asked for advice, I assume that folks know what they are doing.

Sill height on an egress window is a no-brainer....along with safety glazing where required....a catch the child guard if the sill is below 24"....and what's so difficult about light and ventilation minimums.... well Hell, we can just eliminate most of the windows....etc.

 

[ICE]

At the previous inspection I told them to cut out the underfloor vents. I also told them to place a flat 2x6 block.



This time around it was, the word vents is plural and here's a tip on installing the blocks.



In the long run these guys could do okay. The work is cut tight and true so as long as there's no fatal flaws this could be an easy job for me. I'm even gonna tell them about black paint ....after they cut in the rest of the vents.

 

[ICE]

It's a day later and they are looking more inept than I figured.

 

[ICE]

The job is a remodel of an expensive house to accommodate adult day care. It is unusual to say the least. I was there to verify that the FD has signed off on the sprinklers. The regular inspector is on vacation. The contractor told me that he had a verbal okay to drywall if the FD signed off. I said well then you can square it with the inspector when he returns.

 

[ICE]

I was in the neighborhood so I took another look.



Another issue I had with this job is that there is no dam for this shower stall. The top of the drain is about level with the floor. At best it will be 1/2" lower than the floor. The reason that they left out the dam is that the toilet is about 15" away from the pan and a dam will be too damn close.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Sill height is seldom shown on the plan. It's up to the applicant to know basic codes.

So will you tell them the 2012 edition changed and the maximum height is now measured to the window opening.

This is now consistant with the building code way of measuring the maximum distance from the floor to egress windows

 

[ICE]

So will you tell them the 2012 edition changed and the maximum height is now measured to the window opening. This is now consistant with the building code way of measuring the maximum distance from the floor to egress windows

I have always measured to the net free opening. I didn't know that there was another way until you brought it up.

 

[steveray]

I have always measured to the net free opening. I didn't know that there was another way until you brought it up.

Me too....ahead of the curve I guess....

 

[mtlogcabin]

2009 IRC

R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required.

Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room. Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor.

2012

Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) measured from the finished floor to the bottom of the clear opening.

IBC

1029.3 Maximum height from floor.

Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have the bottom of the clear opening not greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) measured from the floor.

the IRC language is still screwed up with referring to "sill height" and "clear opening" since they are rarely the same height.

 

[ICE]

Yes sir, there's that J-box....just like you said it was.



The work is being done by the owner. This is the second inspection. At the first inspection all he had completed was mounting the new cabinet. It has been a week or more and he has no power. He is angry with me because I won't release the power until all of the work is done and passes inspection. He laments that he may never have power again....he might be right.

 

[ICE]

This started in post #1188. That day I met a workman and his 12 year old son. I wrote a bunch of corrections. It was difficult because I felt sorry for the son what with him witnessing his father's failure. Today was the next inspection. Well actually it's the third time for him and the second for me. On his second inspection he gave us the wrong address. It might be a dyslectic issue because the numbers were mostly reversed. As it turned out we had a permit for that address too. So I went there instead...late in the day. Of course they had no clue as to why I was there. Our inspection request slip had a name and number on it. Jose was his name. And wouldn't you know it, the guy doing the job at the wrong address is named Jose....I mean what are the odds.

Today I met the father and son. I'm thankful that I never had to witness my father be embarrassed. There came a point that I wanted to tell the kid to go wait in the truck, but of course I couldn't do that.





There is a pool and the equipment was moved and replaced along with an electric service upgrade. One of the corrections that I wrote was to provide GFCI protection for the pumps and light. He did this.



This guy works for a contractor who in turn is working for Flipper. Somehow it falls on me to get it done correctly. You should see what he did about the equipotential bonding grid.

They waited most of the day and when I got there it was, "This is wrong, that's wrong, you missed half of the corrections" I was running late because I had 14 stops today and all of them convoluted. So I bailed. I just said be here tomorrow at 9:30. Part of me wants to fire the guy. But then there's the boy. I'm stuck with him.

 

[MASSDRIVER]

The problem is the flipper.

If you seem him, kick him in the nuts.

If it's a woman, kick her in the nuts as well.

Brent.

 

[TheCommish]

it is bad when someone can look at the picture and say this doesn't look right, without have to open a book

 

[SCBO1]

ICE Quote: He laments that he may never have power again....he might be right.

So... he was lamentable! New word for the day, was this word used on O'Reilly last week?

You have to look it up!

Thanks ICE!

pc1

 

[SCBO1]

ICE Quote: I'm thankful that I never had to witness my father be embarrassed.

My daughter has witnessed me being embarrassed every time I try to use my I-phone 6.

I live with this every day, on this form too!

pc1

 

[SCBO1]

Has anyone actually calculated the potential inspection violations when installing a GAS water heater.

I will get a call "Do you require a permit on a water heater change out?"

YES. There's at a minimum of 10 things I'm looking for and we don't even require the seismic strap here.

pc1

 

[ICE]

Service entrance conduit.



Grounding electrode conductor,

 

[steveray]

I missed the answer on the insulation one I guess...Installed and existing circa 1985 when these were built...

 

[fireguy]

Quote: What will keep the insulation in place? IECC 303.1.2 R-value mark should be readily observable upon inspection. IECC 303.2 materials to be installed by the manufacture's instructions or IBC

I used Kraft faced insulation with the R-value marked on the paper side and stapled the side flap to the FJ.

There use to be some wires, about a No. 9 gauge that was used to hold un-faced insulation in place, try finding those at the box store.

Use strappin!

We have an annual sprinkler inspection next week. A couple of weeks ago, we did some sprinkler repair work in the building. I noticed some insulation above the ceiling was not fitting inside the framing of the roof, and the foil covering was gone. Also a piece of insulation batting was not secured. It is now obstructing the sprinkler head. We are going to fix the insulation so our sprinkler pipes do not freeze, again. Is the strapping code? What size is to be used? What thickness and what fasteners are to be used? 10 x 3/4 screws OK?