existing gets a pass?

[ICE]

This contractor has been given a correction to seal top plate penetrations on several inspections. They tried to comply with this job as you can see the gray stuff around the raceways. When I asked about the cable I was told that the cable is "existing" and as such, it is not the contractors responsibility to seal that penetration.

 

[steveray]

He is right....and the unsafe violation notice goes to the homeowner....

 

[tmurray]

We had a similar issue in a commercial building where decades of renovations and no inspections from the municipality resulted in the fire separation of a service room being Swiss cheese.

"But we didn't do that!"
I didn't say you did, but it needs fixed and you're here, so guess who is probably getting a change order.
"Oh, OK."

The owner saw the value of using the guy who was already there and knew how to firestop. He made a nice little bit of change off fixing up the service room.

 

[ICE]

He is right....and the unsafe violation notice goes to the homeowner....

I can only imagine what the relationship between the owner and contractor must be like if he is willing to refuse to fill the hole.

 

[steveray]

I can only imagine what the relationship between the owner and contractor must be like if he is willing to refuse to fill the hole.

We get customers that are smart enough to be $%%holes all the time.....

 

[mark handler]

If during Demo, or Construction, the contractor exposes or uncovers, what could be a safety hazard, I will not sign it off until the safety issue is resolve.
Filling the Annular space with draft stop or firestop materials can be a safety issue.

 

[SCBO1]

Who installed the metal strap over all the new work and the cable (old work)? Awful nice of them but doesn't seem necessary, is there a code requiring that protection?

 

[steveray]

Who installed the metal strap over all the new work and the cable (old work)? Awful nice of them but doesn't seem necessary, is there a code requiring that protection?

Sort of...In Cali it could be a seismic thing too....

R602.6.1 Drilling and Notching of Top Plate​

Where piping or ductwork is placed in or partly in an exterior wall or interior load-bearing wall, necessitating cutting, drilling or notching of the top plate by more than 50 percent of its width, a galvanized metal tie not less than 0.054 inch thick (1.37 mm) (16 ga) and 11/2 inches (38 mm) wide shall be fastened across and to the plate at each side of the opening with not less than eight 10d (0.148 inch diameter) nails having a minimum length of 11/2 inches (38 mm) at each side or equivalent. The metal tie must extend not less than 6 inches past the opening. See Figure R602.6.1.
Exception: Where the entire side of the wall with the notch or cut is covered by wood structural panel sheathing.

 

[ICE]

Who installed the metal strap over all the new work and the cable (old work)? Awful nice of them but doesn't seem necessary, is there a code requiring that protection?

R602.6.1 Drilling and notching of top plate. Where piping or ductwork is placed in or partly in an exterior wall or interior load-bearing wall, necessitating cutting, drilling or notching of the top plate by more than 50 percent of its width, a galvanized metal tie not less than 0.054 inch thick(16 ga) and 11/2 inches wide shall be fastened across and to the plate at each side of the opening with not less than eight 10d nails having a minimum length of 11/2 inches at each side or equivalent. The metal tie must extend not less than 6 inches past the opening. See Figure R602.6.1.

R302.11
Fireblocking shall be provided in wood-framed construction in the following locations:

1. In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces and parallel rows of studs or sgered studs, as follows:
1.1. Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.

R302.11.2 Fireblocking integrity.
The integrity of fire-blocks shall be maintained.

 

[SCBO1]

ICE, I agree with your request on both code issues, 50% over-notch rule and fire blocking. The 6-inches past the opening I didn't pick up on.