Joe,
Welcome to the forum...
Here in lies my questions for the inspector.
1. How much force are his hands putting on the cables to spread them a part? He could very easily be applying more than 50lbs or more force if he has strong fingers.
2. PEACH 2?'s
(1) were are you pulling the 250 # figure from?
(2) 1607.7.1.2 is specific that 50lbs be applied horizontally on an area equal to 1 sgft.
1607.7.1.2 Components. Intermediate rails (all those except the handrail), balusters and panel fillers shall be designed to withstand a horizontally applied normal load of 50 pounds (0.22 kN) on an area equal to 1 square foot (0.0929 m2), including openings and space between rails. Reactions due to this loading are not required to be superimposed with those of Section 1607.7.1 or 1607.7.1.1.
So how the inspector can pull the cables a apart vertically with fingers per this section is very unclear to me. If using his fingers only for force then one must take that area (lets say 1 square inch per finger exclude the thumbs that is 8 fingers or 8 square inches.
Next get the dif from 1 square foot which is 144 square inches 144 / 8 = 18
Take the 18 and divide that in to the 50 lbs (50 / 18 = 2.78 lbs)
Thus if it takes more than 2.78 lbs to pull the cables a part they pass. Even if we add a safety factor of (4 like for glass) that is only 11.12 lbs I am pretty sure the inspector is pulling more than 11+ lbs.
2. To check this I would personally take a fish type scale hook it to one cable pull downward with 12.5lbs of pressure if less than 4" in mid span, what is the deal.
The fish scale test is not certified, but here in lies the question for all.
since the inspector is quoting 1607.7.1.2
Is this not a load test? And if this is a load test are the
1. inspectors qualified to perform load tests?
2. allowed by code to preform load tests?
3. have the proper equipment in the field to very compliance
4. if presented with a certified engineers report stating loads comply how does his finger test apply
I have more but these are my questions first off for all on the forum.
I will end with I am not sure of Joe's construction, I would post pictures if it was me and have construction verified by engineer. But from the post 300lb tension, 2ft between verticals and 3.125 spacing on 1/8" cables should have no problem surpassing code compliance and should sing like a guitar.
Tom
3.