Conarb, thanks, My fearless leaders say they will order the ICC/NSSA-500 for me. Hope to have it soon. Have to be nice; my boss reads these posts 
. So far I like the flexibility of the FEMA specs for affordability of retro-fits in existing homes; and a few builders have shown interest in using it for new construction. As Mark Handler has stated; I need to break the specs down so labor's can understand it; cause that's the knowledge level I'm dealing with as far as many framing contractors around here are concerned. Uncle Bob
. So far I like the flexibility of the FEMA specs for affordability of retro-fits in existing homes; and a few builders have shown interest in using it for new construction. As Mark Handler has stated; I need to break the specs down so labor's can understand it; cause that's the knowledge level I'm dealing with as far as many framing contractors around here are concerned. Uncle Bob