Brian G

Chris, either stop posting these enticing photos or send me the money to buy a camera, will ya'? [:-weepn] Brian G. Riding Out the Tool Jones [:-drool]

Originally posted by ozofprev I don't write up the furnace being located under the stairs because I don't have a reputable citation that I can use to support such a statement. There are many horizontally mounted furnaces in Buffalo that are situated directly under the floor joists of bedrooms. They are installed according to mfr recommendations, have no fire-rated material at the joists and they violate no local codes. Oh sure, we have that here to, just less often (in crawl spaces, not basements). I wouldn't suggest the gas appliances under the stairs are a code violation, or that they should be moved, but I think it's reasonable to note that in a situation like this one the fire safety requirements for the stairs take on added importance. Surely such a space with two gas appliances is more prone to fire than such a space without two gas appliances, all other things being equal. Das all I'm tryna' say. Brian G. I Zig, You Zag [8]

Originally posted by Chad Fabry Many "drywall" products are combustible...did you mean gypsum board? I guess I did, but around here that's what "drywall" means. No one would recognize "gypsum board" at all (locally it's either "drywall" or the even more incorrect "sheetrock"). What "drywall" products are combustible? Stuff like paneling? Ah-so. I get it, and you're probably right. I suppose I should write both, just to be safe (which John already did). Brian G. Laboring With Local Lingo [:-alien]

I’ll borrow Gary’s method, but avoid what he already noted (unless I disagree with him). This is just skimming along, seeing what catches my eye. [:-magnify Page 2 1. I suggest putting (SOP) behind “the Standards of Practicesâ€

I don't see many basements here, but I've begun including a "basements are almost impossible to keep water out of" type warning. Waterproofing a basement here is an amatuer pursuit, since no one could possibly make a living out of it. I don't care what it looks like today, someday it's virtually certain to leak. Brian G. Flooding Could Wreck Your Rec Room []

Originally posted by Jim Katen Call Underwriter's Laboratories and ask them. Would that be a UL thing? I would think the manufacturers make all the decisions about mounting holes (where, how many, how big, etc.). Brian G. 5/8 Lag Screws Seem Excessive []

Black-letter code aside, I agree with John. What's the difference between an intended 3/4" hole in an enclosure and an unintended 3/4' hole in an enclosure, where safety is concerned? Zero. Nada. If there's a reason to close off one, there's a reason to close off the other. With what, in this case, I'm not sure. Why does a panel need a big 'ole 3/4" mounting hole to begin with? Brian G. A Hole Isn't a Hole If It's Intended? [:-boggled

Originally posted by inspector57 Sounds more like a political statement than a building code. It's both. Buildings are by far the biggest carbon producers overall, not cars. Brian G. Green Can Be Good [:-angel]

This house was 36 years old, and it had standard ductwork. It was 1 1/2 from home; maybe that's why I haven't seen 'em before. Brian G. Will Travel for Work [:-cyclops

Check these out. I've not seen these before; sort of a floor/baseboard register. Image Insert: 77.84 KB Brian G. To Air Is Human [:-slaphap

I've seen a few grown people treat disposers just like a kid treats a paper shredder. They obviously get some kind of destructive charge out of putting stuff in it. I like mine because it clears the sink quickly and pulverizes whatever tiny scraps do get by the scraping-off. Brian G. It Ain't a Toy [:-propell

Originally posted by Jim Katen The gold colored ones are no stronger than the black ones or the galvanized ones. That depends on which gold colored ones we're talking about. I've used thousands of what is labeled "particle board screws" at Lowes, and they're much more substantial than drywall screws (but still not right for a folding stair). Do they also make drywall screws that are gold in color? Brian G. Screwin' Around []

I've seen a lot of them fail as I tried to remove them as well, but I also can't think of a time when one failed between installation and removal. Nonethless, they are extraodinarily brittle screws with not much beef at the shaft, and I wouldn't consider using them to hold up folding stairs. Brian G. Maybe For My Wife to Use, on Certain Days [:-dev3][-crzwom]

I'd estimate about 1/3 to 1/2 of all folding stairs I see aren't properly installed. Very common. Brian G. We Don't Need No Stinking Instructions [:-dunce]

Because male adapters have needs. [:-dev3] Brian G. Must...Gain...Impulse Control...(gasp!) [:-paperba

Originally posted by Check It Out Some juridictions allow it if no more than three neutrals are crimped together and then placed in the lug. But they're still wrong. Neither the manufacturers nor the NEC allow for any such foolishness. Brian G. Inventing Your Own Code Isn't Legitimate [:-alien]

Welcome to TIJ Dennis. All intelligent input is welcomed here (even from wind surfers []). Brian G. Ex-Whitewater Kayaker [^]

Originally posted by Phillip There is a bathroom next to the bedroom with the windows. It is a new house no one running the plumbing. If Scott's right it could still be a leak from a supply line. Gotta love the before and after photos. You're gonna look like some kind of inspecting genius to the clients. [:-angel] Brian G. Some Days Things Go Your Way; Enjoy! [^]

That looks good to me. They won't do it, but you did your job. Brian G. Inspect, Document, and Inform [:-angel]

Masonry isn't my best subject, but I've not hear they can't be in ground contact. Very few brick veneer house around here are all above grade. Brian G. The Edge of the Slab is Uuugly [-crzwom]

Ditto. I've never seen a bath vent run to the outdoors, or a problem resulting from the lack thereof, in Mississippi or Alabama. I know that doesn't fly father north, where ice isn't just in scattered puddles on the ground. Is there someone in your area you can ask? Brian G. All Climates Are Not Created Equal [:-hot][:-cold]

Originally posted by Jim Katen It's a Seimens panel. All he has to do is go to Home Depot and unscrew the bar from the aisle display. If he wears an orange vest and mumbles to himself, no one will say a thing. Good idea, but instead of mumbling to himself I suggest carrying a clipboard full of papers, looking really pissed-off, and cussing under his breath. Brian G. It Works For a Lot of Bosses [:-gnasher

Originally posted by AHI I have seen panels that allow two conductors to share a terminal if they are the same size. In this panel there are several terminals that share conductors of different sizes. Is this ever allowed? No. It is the main panel so I figure the neutrals and grounds on the same bus are not a problem as they shoud be bonded in the main anyway. Correct, but the neutrals should be one per terminal unless the wiring instructions specifically allow two, which I don't think you'll ever see on a new panel. Note the specific language in this Seimens label. Image Insert: 115.75 KB I dont know why the shared terminals anyway as there were plenty of empty ones. Other than laziness and habit, you got me. [?] Brian G. That's the Way Old Man Jones Did It, So That's The Way I Do It [^]

In theory, parts are available. In reality, good luck getting anything other than a main lug or an add-on equipment ground bar. You'll play hell even getting a deadfront cover if the panel is more than a few years old. Manufacturers hate dealing in replacement parts. Brian G. Been There [:-headach