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Permit Application!

RJJ

RJJ

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Joined
Oct 17, 2009
Messages
2,939
Location
about 1' east of the white water
We all should have a few common references to things people say as they apply for a permit, a permit is denied, an inspection is failed, or other related issues.

Last week I had three different contractors raise the question "When did that become code?" Two of the three said that they don't enforce that in the next town over. :D
 
I get that ALL the time. It's great. Opt-out municipalities have told their property owners that the State code doesn't apply to them because they opted out.

a duuurrrr.
 
Back quite a few years ago, I called a contractor for tempered glass w/i 24" of a door after we adopted the 03 cycle. His reply, How'd that get past the BOA? (he was serving on it) Has always been one of my favorites. Dunno, guess we kinda just slipped that one by you...........gotcha!

This could maybe challenge for the most posts on a thread!
 
Similar to the difficulty that designers and contractors have in understanding the new requirements is the challange that building officials and inspectors have in updating their practices to comply with the code.
 
Would like this sign on the counter.

Contractors---Please provide their copy of the current code so I can circle the code for them.

Homeowners---I shake my head.

Helpers who help homeowners---I shoot.

Which one are you????
 
Fred K posted:

"Contractors---Please provide their copy of the current code so I can circle the code for them.

Homeowners---I shake my head.

Helpers who help homeowners---I shoot.

Which one are you????"

Fortunately I do not encounter such attitudes at the permit counters I visit.

Bill
 
"They don't (require permits, enforce the code that way, etc) in the next (Town, County)." was always a favorite of mine as I attended regular monthly meetings with every Code Official in THREE counties. I knew what was and was not done in those neighboring jurisdictions.

And "I've been building houses that way for twenty (thirty, forty. ?) years" is always going to get you the same response from me... Well, you've been doing it wrong for twenty (thirty, forty, ?) years. (with that, the code book is already open to the appropriate page...).
 
KZQuixote said:
Fortunately I do not encounter such attitudes at the permit counters I visit.

Bill
Click to expand...
If you went to his counter, I don't think you would encounter that attitude. Otherwise, he would have said "I have this sign on the counter", not "Would like this sign on the counter"; that sentence having been snipped from your quote.

I'd like to think we're among friends here, especially in the "Off topic posts" forum. Some people's sense of humor may not be agreeable to others.

Some people may take every opportunity to misconstrue the position of another to climb a rung on the ladder.

Having started a similar thread, which I had to have removed because members would rather take the opportunity to demonstrate what terrific people they are and how horrible I am-- based on their misreading my post-- I do not want to see it happen to somebody else.

Off-topic posts. Cum grana salis.

If you want to be serious, take it to the "Code Administration" forum.
 
Yesterday I had a call for permits fees for a larger cooling tower to replace an existing one. The building maintenance head guy said, Do I need to fill in the permit application? My response was Yes! His response was you know who we are! My response back was Yes! But I still need your name, address, phone # etc and the project you are about to start. Including two sets of plans along with the check for the AHJ. The plans shall reflect the electrical and mechanical corrections discussed with the DP. Response! "You sure are making this hard to get a permit!"
 
I have my county counterparts' phone number on speed dial......... That way, when the contractor starts saying 'Well the county lets me do it' I can call and check. Usually shuts them up pretty fast.

Two against the multitude......... :cowboy
 
TimNY said:
Having started a similar thread, which I had to have removed because members would rather take the opportunity to demonstrate what terrific people they are and how horrible I am-- based on their misreading my post-- I do not want to see it happen to somebody else.
Click to expand...
You should not have removed it. Unfortunately, there are the very few in every forum who have to take the opportunity to display their self-righteousness and let you know how outraged they are that you dare post such-and-such. Don't give in to those people. If those few crybabies get their feelings hurt so easily, there is an ignore button.

Sack up and get over it.

This is not intended for you Quixote, I'm speaking in general terms.

Back on topic. A couple of weeks ago, a sign contracter turned in a permit application for a freestanding sign, without a site plan. The plans examiner told them to turn in a site plan, so setback could be checked. The contractor said, "why don't you just go out and measure it".
 
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When asked why we don't have a code thats the same everywhere I discretly mention that

RI has had a Uniform Statewide Equally Enforcable code since 1977.

And

that all inspectors, officials all read the same book;

If you want different interpretations from the same book BUY A BIBLE!

makes the point for (sing the next) They Did it MY WAY!!!!!!!! (tip hat)
 
They NEVER had to do it .. there.. wherever "there" is.. First time they've ever had to do it... been doing it "this way" for 28 years... heard it all.. show them a code book.
 
One of my favorite is when a contractor won the foot in mouth award with the admission; “when did you start enforcing that part of the code? Could at least give us a warning!”

A runner up; “ I thought that was the code but I wanted to see if you would fail it!”
 
had that too... 3 residential building high rise project; EC bid it per the "approved" floor plans.. inspection time rolls around.. add receptacles (turns out about 1000 throughout). funny they were able to come up with a cost the same day they got called on it..

See if the idiot inspector will call it.

Luckily for the developer, the plans also had a note that receptacle spacing shall be per NEC 210-52, so the EC got to eat it.. :)

Love it when a plan comes together.
 
Had a #2 foundation inspection. #1 was turned down because several piers were loose. I walk up to the first pier and push it over with one finger. Contractor says, "That's not gonna pass is it?" Ummmmm NO. Then he argues that piers can be dry stacked and the load will hold it down. Have a nice day sir....
 
Had about 500sf of vaulted ceiling. Stick my hand between the batts.. hmm don't feel any baffles. Next joist bay has baffles. Start poking around some have them, some not. Get 6' ladder feel around some more. Some bays with baffle have sections where there are none, then just start again (in the same bay!).

Nice change to have a GC who was surprised and said he could not understand why the insul contractor would skimp out on the baffles when there are so cheap-- then he paused-- and said.. well I guess I do understand why, no inspector ever checks it.

Well, almost no inspector :)
 
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