Inspector Gadget
SAWHORSE
I have a tool that I don't use much, but it seems every time I use it, it ends up costing money.
Here's a story of the day my tool cost someone about $30,000.
It was a commercial expansion. Covid-era stuff going on, and for some reason, the contractor didn't think the requirement for a fire-rated drywall inspection applied to him. In fact, when we finally managed to gain access to the structure, they'd basically finished. Walls were painted, electrical pretty much done.
You veteran folks can see where this is going.
The ceiling had a couple penetrations where there were no firestops.
They'd cut out the fire-rated drywall in the exit to install a heat pump.
But, they assured me, "everything else is fine."
Which is when I grabbed my handy-dandy multi-head screwdriver and pulled off an electrical cover....
"That's half-inch drywall," I said.
"Yeah?" the contractor responded.
"It's supposed to be 5/8 Type X. This isn't 5/8 Type X."
"uh... oh... uh....we used that uh, new thin stuff."
"Hmmm.....you mean 1/2 Type C? OK. So, show me the system that gives a one-hour rating for 1/2 type C, provided me dated receipts and, let's see .... pull off one board right <here> to verify it is what you say it is. They have the markings on the back most times."
It was not, as you already knew, 1/2" Type C.
$30,000 remedy. I don't think that contractor is in business any more.
Here's a story of the day my tool cost someone about $30,000.
It was a commercial expansion. Covid-era stuff going on, and for some reason, the contractor didn't think the requirement for a fire-rated drywall inspection applied to him. In fact, when we finally managed to gain access to the structure, they'd basically finished. Walls were painted, electrical pretty much done.
You veteran folks can see where this is going.
The ceiling had a couple penetrations where there were no firestops.
They'd cut out the fire-rated drywall in the exit to install a heat pump.
But, they assured me, "everything else is fine."
Which is when I grabbed my handy-dandy multi-head screwdriver and pulled off an electrical cover....
"That's half-inch drywall," I said.
"Yeah?" the contractor responded.
"It's supposed to be 5/8 Type X. This isn't 5/8 Type X."
"uh... oh... uh....we used that uh, new thin stuff."
"Hmmm.....you mean 1/2 Type C? OK. So, show me the system that gives a one-hour rating for 1/2 type C, provided me dated receipts and, let's see .... pull off one board right <here> to verify it is what you say it is. They have the markings on the back most times."
It was not, as you already knew, 1/2" Type C.
$30,000 remedy. I don't think that contractor is in business any more.
