Brian G

I'm with Jim. Nothing beats direct bearing. Brian G.

Originally posted by allspec33351 And Goodman sucks. Heyyy.....whud I do? [:-irked] Brian G. No Relation []

I ran onto an odd situation yesterday. The house I was looking at had a 12 circuit 200 amp panel built-in with the meterbase, with 6 double pole breakers in it (exterior). One was a 90 amp feeding a 40 circuit 200 amp main lug panel inside. The wires running between were no larger than #3, and they didn't wire it as a sub panel. The inside panel was almost exclusively 20 amp single pole breakers, except for 2 30 amp double poles, and almost full. When I wrote it up I said: A. It should have been wired as a sub panel B. The sub panel is not being used in accordance with the manufacturers' specs or the UL listing C. Recommended rewiring to the proper configuration and the full rating of the sub panel. Nobody makes (or ever has made) a 40 circuit 100 amp panel. The largest I know of is 24 circuits, a far cry from 40. So my thinking is that even if the actual load is well within 90 amps (which is not my department), this is a bad arrangement and I'd be nuts to say anything otherwise. I'd be interested in hearing any comments from other angles I might have overlooked. If they fix it they're gonna have a problem getting a 200 amp feed from the main panel, because no 200 amp breaker I'm aware of will fit in a normal double pole space, nor am I aware of any "add-on" 200 amp main kit. Not my problem of course. Brian G. In the Land of Sub Panel Ignorance [:-dunce]

This was in the latest ICC newsletter. I thought I would post it so more inspectors could read about it. Inspector discovers carbon monoxide leak, saves children When Johnny Vollendroff arrived at the rental property that day in 1996, he thought he was checking out a simple code complaint. Little did he know how important that visit would be. While the man of the house showed him around the place, John noted multiple code violations. The electric panel was incorrectly placed and missing its door. The lighting consisted of a single loop of exposed wiring hanging from the ceiling. The toilet was leaking through the bathroom wall into a kitchen cabinet, where a variety of molds grew. The windows were all single pane plastic. But, upon entering the living room, he saw the scariest thing. A gas fired heater sat in the spot where a wood stove must have been. The flue in the wall was open. The stove was exhausting directly in to the room. Beside it was a 50-gallon propane tank. Johnny noticed that as they walked around the house, the gentleman had coughed frequently. Johnny now turned and asked him about his cold. The man replied that he wasn't nearly as sick as his wife and kids. The family had all gotten the flu a few weeks before and it just wouldn't go away. He described the symptoms, including blood shot eyes and a runny nose. Johnny explained to the man that these were all signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. They bundled the family into the gentleman's car and drove to the health department. The attending doctor later described the children as having the worst cases of carbon monoxide poisoning he had ever seen that had not resulted in death. That unconnected flue in the wall may have let enough fresh air into the living room to keep them alive. However, they would not have lasted much longer. The family moved out of the rental house immediately and Johnny condemned the property. He knew that his efforts had saved those children's lives. Story submitted by Johnny Lee Vollendroff Building Inspector/Code Official California Hats off to Johnny for a job well done. You da man Johnny! [:-king] Brian G.

Originally posted by kurt Yeah, balcony. I never liked that "portico" word anyway; makes me sound uppity. Be selective. Only use it with the uppity clients. [] Brian G. Adaptable Mansion Inspector [:-tophat]

Originally posted by inspecthistoric Anything that is an extension off the second (or third) floor of a house, I call a balcony. That's two for balcony, so I guess I'll go with that next time. I appreciate your indulgence gentlemen, maybe I've been looking at this architectural dictionary too hard. Architecture is a very old discipline with many layers. It seems like there's a special name for every little thing and a compound name for every variation of every little thing. Beyond the scope I know, but interesting. Brian G.

In the report I already called it simply "the small 2nd floor front porch", I'm just trying to learn if there is a specific, proper name for that type. Education man, education. [:-graduat [:-glasses I wish the builder had stopped 3 or 4 feet shorter at each end on that porch. It was raining off and on while I was there, and when I walked out on that porch water had blown in at one end. The decking was 1 x 4 tongue & groove, the railing was solid panels right down to the decking, and the water really had nowhere to go. It has a big package unit taking care of the first floor. When I checked out the model number today it turned out to be between 29 - 33 years old. It must have been repainted at some point, it didn't look that old. Still chuggin' along. Brian G.

Originally posted by inspecthistoric During the 19th century in America, a series of columns placed at regular intervals that supports a roof over the main entry on the FACADE of a building was called a portico. The roofs are usually flat (except during the Greek revival period) and are usually square, rectangular or semicircular. That sounds like a very good description of the larger structure that covers the front of this house, but I figure there's probably a proper name (or two) for that smaller, upper "porch" underneath the main roof. Any thoughts on that Bill? Brian G.

Hmmm...portico. From my Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture: "portico - A range of columns or arches in front of a building, often merged into the facade, including a covered walkway of which one or more sides are open. It includes every kind of covered ambulatory." An "ambulatory" is apparently any defined walkway or passageway. My first thought was to call it a "gallery", because I've heard that term applied to similar features on other houses around here. The book disagrees with that too. Brian G.

Originally posted by hausdok Save to file as JPEG. Rename without any spaces or symbols. Click upload file, browse to it, click it, upload it and your done. I do all of that, it says it has it, but when I click on the link in the post I always get the "Page not available" page. Same at ASHI, IN, etc. Enough wit da drift already, let's talk about the houses. [:-magnify Brian G.

Originally posted by hausdok This is posted on behalf of our computer challenged Brian G., who's yet to figure out how to post photos. Objection your honor! I'm like a man who gets a bad case E.D. late in life: I know how to do it, the damned thing just won't work. [:-crazy] It's gotta be my computer, 'cause I can't post a photo on any of the forums. Sorry about horning in on your thread Bill, it was meant be a new topic. Brian G. P.P.D. Sufferer (Photo Posting Disfunction) [:-grumpy]

It's a Victorian!!!id="size4"> [:-dev3][][:-dev3] Brian G. Sorry Bill, Couldn't Resist [:-dopey]

Originally posted by hausdok It's a finial. A cookie for the Hausdok. From the Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture: finial - A small, sometimes foliated ornament at the top of a spire, pinnacle, or gable which acts as a terminal Brian G. Foliated or Not Foliated, That Is the Question...[:-magnify

Sounds like no ground at all. I normally don't comment on phone or cable stuff, but if I saw that I would put it in the report. If they have a ground I assume there's some reason for it. Brian G.

Originally posted by Jim Morrison Once the novelty of indoor plumbing wears off, you'll find yourself wondering how you ever got along without it. Unlike our Yankee cousins around Princeton, our fecal matter is clear and odorless (our **** don't stink). No need for such things. [^] Brian G.

Originally posted by Scottpat Brian, were you load testing the toilet? Naw, I haven't found the industry standards for that test yet. [] Besides, what if you run the test and the toilet can't come close to "passing it"? [:-yuck] Thanks to the responders. Now I know that Rochester is actually duller than Columbus. [:-boring] Brian G. Not That Bored Yet

I ran into one the other day where it would only fully flush if you held the handle down. What's the cause there? I assume it's a problem with the mechanism, but I've never seen any discussion of that particular problem and I'm no plumbing guru, so I thought I would ask. Whass up widdat? Brian G. Waste Recepticle Challenged [:-dunce]

Originally posted by Richard Moore Brian G's double stick tape wear out again? I only use that to keep my massive manhood from frightening the women-folk. [:-bigeyes [][:-dev3][:I][:-eyebrow Brian G. a.k.a. "Brian the Lion" [:-mischie

I liked Austin a lot, and the conference was great. It was my first time (be gentle with me), but sure as hell not my last. I really enjoyed meeting the people behind the names and snapshots, from both the HI web boards and the ASHI hierchy. Now I have voices and bodies to put with the posts, much nicer. I must loudly thank Scott Patterson again for his generousity in sharing his lodgings with me, that was a huge help to me. Thank You Scottster! I owe you a big one. Ole' Stachy was too much for our Jimmy-Boy, but he was real cute in the cowboy hat. [:-cowboy] I tried to talk him into a Texas-sized belt buckle, but no go (dang thing looked like a pie plate). We did get a good taste of the music scene down at Antone's, where the Winter Rockfest featured 5 live bands in one night...really took me back a few years (like about 15 or so). The price of admission also included a CD with 2 songs by each band, pretty neat. Some seminars were better than others of course, but I got something out of every one. I particularly liked getting to scratch my longtime itch about alternative energy and listen to Douglas Hansen at the same time. If I ever get the money, I know a lot more about it now than I did. Lord, how I would love to make the meter spin backwards! Next year is Fort Lauderdale; I'll be there. Long drive though...how about Memphis the next time? I can be there in a couple of hours. [] Brian G. Austinated Mississippian [:-party]

I just got a call yesterday from the local association, asking for an address correction so they could send out my renewal notice. I politely told them to save the stamp for someone else. Brian G.

Originally posted by kurt And thanks to Amn too; anyone that will stay in the ring w/me and counterpunch fine points is my kind of guy. Absolutely. I like people who know what they think AND why they think it, agree with me or not. (I would note that the gentleman's name is Andrew, not Amn.) On a broader note, I would like to hear you (Amn) talk about your experiences in litigation & support work. Ditto. And, reasonable people disagreeing is fine w/me; none of this is personal. Amen Brother Kurt. As both adults and professionals (supposedly) we should be able to debate virtually anything (even strongly) without getting personal. In business matters one should never get personal unless someone else makes it personal, and most times not even then. Business: "I'd like a receipt please." Personal "I'd like a receipt, you crooked SOB." Brian G. Mental Judo Lover

Originally posted by kurt Very often, it is not the defect the customer doesn't understand, it is the concept. That requires language skill, not photographic skill. True enough. I seem to get a lot of construction-clueless clients, who would be lost without a photo to look at ("See that thing? It's turned this way, it should be that way, here's why that's bad."). Hell, I'd sing it for 'em if it would get the point across. BTW; it was cool meeting you in Austin. You are a gentleman, indeed. One of the bright bulbs this profession so desperately needs. You're most kind Herr Mitenbuler, and the feeling is mutual. I could deny the second part, but what would be the point? [] Brian G. My Future's So Bright... [8D]

Originally posted by kurt Let's hear a collective "amen". I am forever indebted to this fine man for bringing me out of 3 light tester darkness & into the bosom of intelligent circuit analysis. And the choir began to sing.... [:-yawn][:-angel][:-yawn] Brian G. Heathern in the Darkness [:-devil]

I don't include the photos in the body of the report, but I give them a CD with the photos on it. That takes about 3 minutes to produce at a cost of roughly 50 cents. I refer to the photos by jpeg number in the report. Now that I have a laptop I can stick the CD in and pull up a photo very easily, zoom in on certain parts, point out specifics with the cursor, etc. I find photos are extremely helpful when explaining defects and improper conditions to layman clients who have no idea what I'm talking about. That's a big part of what it's about, right? Brian G. My 3 Cents (I raise Andrew) [:-dev3]