All feelings aside, I got a call from the contractor today. He said he and the owner knew it was sketchy, and didn't realize some of the hazards. There was a general feeling of understanding and acceptance.
Redeyedfly, I get your position. I was a contractor for many years before this position. I am one who tries to live and die by the written code. Any who know me understand that, and I often argue the points based on available code...whether its for enforcement or against it. But, with experience I have realized the code, as gargantuan as it is, can't cover everything. It is my belief that the IRC was written for a defined class of structure, and that there will be times when there are elements within that defined class that are not covered by the prescriptions of that code. I believe then that it is acceptable to turn to the other codes for guidance, as others have presented. You are in opposition to that, and you are entitled to that opinion. I am not trying to convince you of anything, I am obviously not making a good enough case for that anyway. I do appreciate your position, it's just not one I agree with in this instance. I often excoriate other building officials for selective enforcement, or "creative" enforcement. If I am guilty of that here I will take my lumps because I think the hazards are real and warrant attention. But I don't think I am. The codes exist, just not in the book you want to see them in.
Nowhere have I seen you argue that the hazards aren't real, just that you don't think they apply to homes. Again, we can just disagree and move on. I made the calls, the applicant accepts them. And, BTW, the fire department also reviewed this and concurred on separate permits and plans. You keep up the fight, keep us honest, I really do appreciate it, we just have different opinions in this case.