Why Building Officials and Plans Examiners Should Be Familiar With and Have Access to ASCE-7

Familiarity with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7 standard is increasingly important for building officials and plans examiners, especially as it's referenced more frequently in the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). Here's a revised perspective emphasizing the importance of a basic understanding of ASCE 7 for these professionals, highlighting their role in identifying when a detailed engineering review is necessary.

The Role of Building Officials and Plans Examiners:​

Building officials and plans examiners play a crucial role in the construction permitting process, ensuring that building plans comply with the established codes and standards. While they are not expected to perform the complex engineering analyses themselves, a foundational understanding of ASCE 7 is essential. This knowledge enables them to:

• Ensure Basic Compliance: Recognize whether the structural aspects of a building design, as they relate to ASCE 7's requirements, are likely addressed in the submitted plans. This includes understanding the design's adherence to minimum load requirements for various environmental conditions such as wind, seismic activities, snow, and others as outlined in ASCE 7.
• Facilitate Communication: Effectively communicate with architects and engineers by understanding the terminology and concepts of ASCE 7. This helps in clarifying any potential issues or discrepancies in the plans submitted for review.
• Identify the Need for Expert Review: Determine when the complexity of a project exceeds the basic compliance check and requires a detailed review by a qualified engineer. This is crucial for projects that involve unusual designs or are in high-risk areas for specific environmental loads.

Importance of Basic Familiarity with ASCE 7:​

• Safety and Compliance: A basic understanding of ASCE 7 allows building officials and plans examiners to perform a preliminary check for compliance with safety standards. This preliminary check ensures that the submitted plans are in line with the critical safety requirements before a more detailed engineering review.
• Consistent Application of Standards: Knowing the references and general requirements of ASCE 7 ensures that the interpretation and application of the codes are consistent across different projects. This consistency is vital for maintaining the safety and reliability of structures within their jurisdiction.
• Streamlining the Review Process: Recognizing the aspects of a design that comply with or deviate from ASCE 7 can streamline the initial stages of the review process. This ability to quickly identify compliance helps in prioritizing the workflow and efficiently allocating resources for detailed engineering reviews where necessary.
• Professional Development: Staying informed about the basic elements of ASCE 7 contributes to the ongoing professional development of building officials and plans examiners. It enhances their ability to oversee the construction process effectively, ensuring that buildings meet current safety standards.

While building officials and plans examiners are not expected to perform detailed engineering analyses, a basic understanding of ASCE 7's requirements is essential. This knowledge helps them ensure initial compliance with safety standards, facilitate effective communication with design professionals, and identify when to engage engineering expertise for a more thorough review. This approach ensures that the building review and permitting process remains efficient, effective, and aligned with the goal of constructing safe and resilient structures.

 

[Paul Sweet]

Most of ASCE 7 used to be part of the model codes so you didn't have to buy yet another reference book.

 

[Mark K]

Familiarity with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7 standard is increasingly important for building officials and plans examiners, especially as it's referenced more frequently in the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). Here's a revised perspective emphasizing the importance of a basic understanding of ASCE 7 for these professionals, highlighting their role in identifying when a detailed engineering review is necessary.

The Role of Building Officials and Plans Examiners:​

Building officials and plans examiners play a crucial role in the construction permitting process, ensuring that building plans comply with the established codes and standards. While they are not expected to perform the complex engineering analyses themselves, a foundational understanding of ASCE 7 is essential. This knowledge enables them to:

• Ensure Basic Compliance: Recognize whether the structural aspects of a building design, as they relate to ASCE 7's requirements, are likely addressed in the submitted plans. This includes understanding the design's adherence to minimum load requirements for various environmental conditions such as wind, seismic activities, snow, and others as outlined in ASCE 7.
• Facilitate Communication: Effectively communicate with architects and engineers by understanding the terminology and concepts of ASCE 7. This helps in clarifying any potential issues or discrepancies in the plans submitted for review.
• Identify the Need for Expert Review: Determine when the complexity of a project exceeds the basic compliance check and requires a detailed review by a qualified engineer. This is crucial for projects that involve unusual designs or are in high-risk areas for specific environmental loads.

Importance of Basic Familiarity with ASCE 7:​

• Safety and Compliance: A basic understanding of ASCE 7 allows building officials and plans examiners to perform a preliminary check for compliance with safety standards. This preliminary check ensures that the submitted plans are in line with the critical safety requirements before a more detailed engineering review.
• Consistent Application of Standards: Knowing the references and general requirements of ASCE 7 ensures that the interpretation and application of the codes are consistent across different projects. This consistency is vital for maintaining the safety and reliability of structures within their jurisdiction.
• Streamlining the Review Process: Recognizing the aspects of a design that comply with or deviate from ASCE 7 can streamline the initial stages of the review process. This ability to quickly identify compliance helps in prioritizing the workflow and efficiently allocating resources for detailed engineering reviews where necessary.
• Professional Development: Staying informed about the basic elements of ASCE 7 contributes to the ongoing professional development of building officials and plans examiners. It enhances their ability to oversee the construction process effectively, ensuring that buildings meet current safety standards.

While building officials and plans examiners are not expected to perform detailed engineering analyses, a basic understanding of ASCE 7's requirements is essential. This knowledge helps them ensure initial compliance with safety standards, facilitate effective communication with design professionals, and identify when to engage engineering expertise for a more thorough review. This approach ensures that the building review and permitting process remains efficient, effective, and aligned with the goal of constructing safe and resilient structures.

A plans examiner who deals with structural issues and does not have access to ASCE 7 is not qualified to be a plans examiner. This would be similar to a building official not having a copy of the building code.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

My inspection company won't buy this book.

 

[Mark K]

My inspection company won't buy this book.

What is your role ?

Inspectors that are just checking for compliance with the construction documents probably do not need to look at ASCE 7. On the other hand if your role includes plan checking then you likely need to have access to ASCE 7.

The plan checking should be completed prior to issuing the building permit

When the Inspector works for the jurisdiction the inspector could look at the copy in the building department. If the building department does not have a copy then the Building Department has problems.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Inspector and plan reviewer. So, what kind of problems?

 

[mtlogcabin]

So, what kind of problems?

Not knowing what you do not know.

When a standard is referenced it will usually be specific on what is required in addition to the code or more specific in how something is to be designed and installed. Since you are not in a high seismic zone I will assume you are not aware of what ASCE 7 requires for suspended ceilings in those areas of the country that have high seismic zones.
Below is a portion of what was required almost 20 years ago from the 2005 edition as you can see both the plan reviewer and the inspector should be familiar with the requirements. We get out of town installers that have no idea what is required and the inspectors have to educate them in the field.

ASCE 7-05 Section 13.5.6.2.2….and the CISCA for Seismic Zones 3-4 as modified by the following:
a. A heavy duty T-bar grid system shall be used.
b. The width of the perimeter supporting closure angle shall be
not less than 2.0 in. In each orthogonal horizontal There is is an alternate system in lieu of the 2" requirement that is permitted now
direction, one end of the ceiling grid shall be attached to the
closure angle. The other end in each horizontal direction shall
have a 0.75 in. clearance from the wall and shall rest
upon and be free to slide on a closure angle.
c. For Ceiling areas exceeding 1,000 ft2 (92.9 m2), horizontal restraint
of the ceiling to the structural system shall be provided. The tributary areas of the horizontal restraints shall be approximately equal.

EXCEPTION: Rigid braces are permitted to be used instead of diagonal
splay wires. Braces and attachments to the structural system
above shall be adequate to limit relative lateral deflections at point of
attachment o f ceiling grid to less than 0.25 in. (6 mm) for the loads
prescribed in Section 13,3.
d. For ceiling areas exceeding 2,500 ft2 (232 m2), a seismic separation
joint or full height partition ~t breaks the ceiling up into
areas not exceeding 2,500 ft2 shall be provided unless structural
analyses are performed of the ceiling bracing system for
the prescribed seismic forces that demonstrate ceiling system
penetrations and closure angles provide sufficient clearance
to accommodate the anticipated lateral displacement. Each
area shall be provided with closure angles in accordance with
item 2 and horizontal restraints or bracing in accordance with
item 3.
e. Except where rigid braces are used to limit lateral deflections,
sprinkler heads and other penetrations shall have a 2 in.
(50 mm) oversize ring, sleeve, or adapter through the ceiling
tile to allow for free movement of at least I in. (25 mm) in
an horizontal directions. Alternatively, a swing joint that can
accommodate I in. (25 mm) of ceiling movement in all horizontal
directions is permitted to be provided at the top of the
sprinkler head extension.
f. Changes in ceiling plan elevation shall be provided with positive
bracing.
g. Cable trays and electrical conduits shall be supported independently
of the ceiling.











h. Suspended ceilings shall be subject to the special inspection

requirements of Section llA.l.3.9 of this standard.



13.5.6.3 Integral Construction. As an alternate to providing

large clearances around sprinkler system penetrations through

ceiling systems, the sprinkler system and ceiling grid are permitted

to be designed and tied together as an integral unit. Such

a design shall consider the mass and flexibility of all elements

involved, including the ceiling system, sprinkler system, light

fixtures, and mechanical ( HVAC) appurtenances. Such design

shall be performed by a registered design professional.