Bryan

Were there any markings as to whom the manufacturer is? If it is a Firestone product they use a three digit day followed by two digit year. Other words yours would be the 341 day of 1997. Also did you by chance check the date code of the window glazing panels?

Good day all. I am in need of help and/or direction to locate information regarding the maximum size of a vent pipe for a water heater. The main vent is 6" "B"; which extends about 10' horizontal and 25' vertical from the appliance location. The original furnace has been removed leaving only the 40k btu water heater on the vent stack. Therefore, does the 7 times diameter rule apply here; which if my math is correct it is OK. Or?? Thanks in advance

Look up the James Hardie siding details, they have a good one.

Good morning fellow inspectors. I am needing someone to do an inspection in the Quad City's area. If you are interested, or know of someone who might be, please send me an E-Mail @ inspectorbryan@gmail.com or call @ 317-432-3570

Thanks for the response gentlemen.

Good morning all. Has anyone here taken the EDI level 1 or 2 seminars, and did you find it to be worth while training?

.045 thickness and 1996 manufacture date. Not sure on the 451, most likely a shift and week code.

I just inspected a new home where the masonry veneer on one of the larger walls hangs over the poured foundation by 1 1/4" with a 3" brick. I have always heard 1/3 of the width is acceptable; however, I am not able to find any reference for this. The closest I can find is 2003 IRC R703.7.2.1 Support by Steel Angle: A minimum 6 inches by 4 inches by 5/16 inch (152 mm by 102 mm by 8 mm) steel angle, with the long leg placed vertically, shall be anchored to double 2 inches by 4 inches (51 mm by 102 mm) wood studs at a maximum on center spacing of 16 inches (406 mm). Anchorage of the steel angle at every double stud spacing shall be a minimum of two 7/16 inch (11.1 mm) diameter by 4 inches (102 mm) lag screws. The steel angle shall have a minimum clearance to underlying construction of 1/16 inch (1.6 mm). A minimum of two-thirds the width of the masonry veneer thickness shall bear on the steel angle. Flashing and weep holes shall be located in the masonry veneer wythe in accordance with Figure R703.7.1. The maximum height of masonry veneer above the steel angle support shall be 12 feet, 8 inches (3861 mm). The air space separating the masonry veneer from the wood backing shall be in accordance with R703.7.4 and R703.7.4.2. The method of support for the masonry veneer on wood construction shall be constructed in accordance with Figure R703.7.2.1. The maximum slope of the roof construction without stops shall be 7:12. Roof construction with slopes greater than 7:12 but not more than 12:12 shall have stops of a minimum 3 inches x 3 inches x ? inch (76 mm x 76 mm x 6 mm) steel plate welded to the angle at 24 inches (610 mm) on center along the angle or as approved by the building official. Therefore, anyone have a better reference?

Interesting. I've never seen that. Could it be that someone yanked the FPE panel from the FPE box and stuck an ITE panel in it instead? Kind of like this: http://www.eaton.com/Electrical/USA/Pro ... /index.htm That's very possible. All of the other commercial FPE panels I have seen had different breakers in them.

Thanks guys. . Jim, the breakers looked just like a typical ITE design, so without the FPE label on the door, I would not have known the manufacture. Bryan

Does anyone know if commercial FPE three phase panels, and master distribution panels have the same concerns as residential panels? Bryan

Kurt, Where are you getting your batteries?

Sure, The ICC has a free code resource section here http://www.iccsafe.org/Store/Pages/FreeCodes.aspx

In most places unless a property of this nature is townhouses it is considered multi-family and falls under the commercial code.

If it is a means of egress I believe the follow would apply: R311.5 Stairways. R311.5.1 Width. Stairways shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height. Handrails shall not project more than 4.5 inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway and the minimum clear width of the stairway at and below the handrail height, including treads and landings, shall not be less than 31.5 inches (787 mm) where a handrail is installed on one side and 27 inches (698 mm) where handrails are provided on both sides. Exception: The width of spiral stairways shall be in accordance with Section R311.5.8. From the 2006 IRC

I think that is probably the case.

No I am sure it was regular concrete, primary due to the large spans involved and the way anchor points were cast in the columns and overhead floor.. What got me thinking down that path was an inspection from a few weeks ago where a base ring of concrete had broken away from the column and I could see the steel base plate at the edge of the concrete. now this building was built around 1950; however it had very similar details. Sorry this is the best photo I have of the detail. Click to Enlarge 36.91 KB

The building has seen its goods days and bad. It was originally built as car factory till all went bust during the great depression. The current owner bought it around 1990 and started cleaning it up and converting it to what it is today. It is my understanding that when they bought it better than 25% of the window glazing was broken out. Even today with all of the glazing in place the windows are one of the the week points of the building. The morning of the afternoon I was there a big storm a had rolled through and a number of the west facing windows had leaked leaving wet spots on the floor. On a somewhat related note, the concrete columns appear to be poured around "I" beams and I am assuming the same is true for the overhead beams. Was this just there way of reinforcing the concrete at that point in time, or am I off base?

I know this type of building is not what most of us look at; however, I thought I would ask and maybe we can all learn. The structure is a 90-95 year old multi story commercial build that is now being used for office and studio space. The main components of the building are reinforced concrete columns, beams, elevated floors and roof areas. Between the concrete components are multi wyth masonry brick to construct the exterior walls. The question I have is in regards to the lintels above the masonry windows. In the attached photos the lintels have failed by "bowing" downward with no significant, if any, sings of lintel jacking. Why is this? Is this set up more of a shelf angle vs. a lintel therefore allowing the steel to roll? If so what is the method of correction? Click to Enlarge 36.73 KB Click to Enlarge 24.58 KB Click to Enlarge 28.82 KB

I think we are talking about both "fire protection" and "irrigation" sprinkler systems.

Vs. foaming the hole thing could one replace the decking, air seal the top side and place overlapping and sealed sheets of foam on top with a new roof covering?

I heard from a very large apartment complex maintenance manager this week that their is a loop hole in the law and they just can not sell pre-charged R-22 units. He indicated that two companies are currently offering units charged with nitrogen and you charge it with R-22 on-site.

Go here for more information: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/ins ... ns_01.html The short answer is R-3.7 per inch of thickness.

This is a cold air return with foam insulation board used to block electrical wires in the stud cavity of a 3 year old home. Logic tells me this is not correct and the only code reference I can find is: M1601.2.1 Duct insulation materials. Duct insulation materials shall conform to the following requirements: 1. Duct coverings and linings shall have a flame-spread index not greater than 25, and a smoke-developed index not greater than 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84. Specimens tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 shall be representative of the final composite material. Click to Enlarge 21.38 KB Does this apply or is there a better code reference? Bryan

Thanks Mike. That is some what what I was thinking; however, just wanted to make sure.