Foundation depth

[Yankee Chronicler]

Frost depth for this entire state is set by the codes at 42 inches. If someone submits a set of drawings that shows the top of footings at 42 inches below grade, I'll approve it because it's better than code. But everything I see has the bottom of footing at 42 inches, which I regard as complying and which I have always approved.

You can always do better than what the code requires, but in the case of concrete that's buried beneath the building I consider it wasted money. Nobody ever sees it, nobody ever gets any benefit or enjoyment out of it -- so why do it?

 

[steveray]

A gawdawful way to measure something when the metric system exists and solves all those fractional foulups with a nice decimal solution.

Don’t get your metric system on me…Makes me itch and I’m still looking for the 10mm socket…

 

[steveray]

Shirley Prudence would demand satisfaction of the reason behind the intent. If such minute extensions were enough, the code should probably just ask that the footing start at the frost line and rise from there.

Have Faith and Hope that common sense prevails…Les not forget that Vladimir could be teaching a class and just wants the technically correct answer. Shirley no one would split hairs to the level of 42 vs. 42.00001 inches in the real world.