Building Inspections Newsletter, Issue 1, September 2006

10 I n this issue , we are going to get you up - to - date with the past inspector meetings and code interpretations I would like to welcome you to our Listserv Each month the inspectors come together for a meeting to discuss the code and to make sure all the inspectors are enforcing the code consistently The meetings are conducted by the Residential Supervisor Amy Clifton and Chief Building Inspector Dean Barbour If you have any issues you would like brought up in an upcoming meeting , feel free to e - mail your concerns to me at the e - mail address below If you experience any problems with the Listserv , feel free to e - mail me D'Ann Michael at dannmichael @ johnstonnccom Johnston County Inspections Department Newslette r September 2006 Issue 1 Amy Clifton Residential Supervisor July 12 th , 2006 Meeting Braced Wall Panels If the area they are to be installed has been approved , the inspector will then look at the installation of these panels at the Rough - In or Insulation inspection The inspector will indicate on the notice that it is ok to install the braced wall panels for inspection Superior walls Upon review of the legacy report , the inspectors determined these walls are required to be waterproofed per IRC Waterproofing Waterproofing of the foundation cannot be installed until after the foundation inspection When a drain is installed , we are unable to inspect the exterior projection Cathedral Ceilings True cathedral ceilings are to be designed by a Professional Engineer Garage Cripple Walls A reminder that the garages that have a cripple wall inside them cannot be just sheetrock , they must be sheathed If this is somehow missed on the Rough - In , the sheathing can be installed on the crawl side August 17 th , 2006 Meeting Loop crimp connections Loop crimp connections are prohibited on manufactured homes Cap block The cap block is the first block above the hollow masonry Refer to the 2004 Manufactured Home Code Book Waterlines under wood porches Waterlines located underneath wooden porches in the crawlspace are to be insulated Conditional Power When the inspector goes out to do a final inspection on a job that has conditional power already on , they will still do a full final electrical inspection Conditional power does NOT mean the electrical has been finaled Sewer and Water Tie - In Inspections The inspectors would like to add this inspection as a stand alone inspection Continued Next Page Beginning Nov 1 st , 2006 , you will be able to call in Sewer and Water Tie - In Inspections alone a gain PageAugust 17 th , 2006 meeting cont Modular Homes For a modular home , the inspectors will look at the design and roof attachment requirements This inspection is usually done with the finals in the attic Exterior Inspections When the inspector is doing an exterior inspection , they need to see the nailed and bolted lintels installed and insure that they are properly flashed Vinyl handrails , guardrails and post systems Most vinyl handrails , guardrails and post systems do not meet the requirements of the current code Cleanouts in driveways The clean outs located in concrete driveways will need to be materials approved for this type of installation The inspector may request information on the clean outs used if needed NC Council of Code Officials 2006 COCO Banquet Several Johnston County Building Inspectors attended the 2006 COCO banquet There they were involved in a code panel discussion Below are some concerns addressed by the code panel at this years meeting Also , a big announcement was made in regards to one of Johnston County's most beloved inspectors Mr RB Jones , Jr was named North Carolina Building Inspector of the year To read the full article written in The Smithfield Herald , you can go to our website at wwwjohnstonnccom inspections NC Bldg Inspector of the year RB Jones COCO Meeting Q & A Q What is the effective date of the 2006 NC Code A From July 1 , 2006 to December 31 , 2006 , either code applies and January 1 , 2007 strictly the new code will be enforced Q What are the minimum plumbing fixture clearances for one and two family dwellings A Refer to figure 3072 page 44 IRC Q Is it the intent of the NEC to prohibit a luminaire from being installed in the zone measuring 3 ' horizontally and 8 ' vertically from the top of the bathtub rim , unless it is listed as a damp location fixture A No , areas subject to shower spray only require a luminaire listed as a damp location fixture Q Are residential subdivisions subject to the fire department vehicle access roads identified in Section 50311 A Yes , we are working with DOT now to get 20 ' requirement as well Q Does the Engineering Division of the NC department of Insurance provide approvals for alternative material , design and methods How does a Code Enforcement Official typically accept proposed alternatives A The local authority has to agree to accept ICC reports , PE reports , 3 rd party reports and inspections etc Q Must SEER 13 HVAC equipment be installed to satisfy the 2006 Energy Code minimum requirements A No Q Are bushings and grommets required when running AC or MC cable through metal framing members A No Refer to section 3004 NEC Continued Next PagePageQ Are fire hydrants required for all buildings , including homes , in accordance with Section 50851 A Yes and No , it depends public water supply available etc Q A garage is required to be separated from the dwelling and its attic area by ½ " gypsum board taped or blocked applied to the garage side What types of openings are permitted in the gypsum board membrane and what level of protection is required A 1 3 8 " solid core , 20 min fire rated doors , ducts that have to penetrate the garage are required to be 26 gauge with no openings into the garage Q I have been told that smoke detectors would no longer be in the 2005 State Electrical Code A Refer to R317 Q Are shower liners required to be shaped to the fixture drain A The new plumbing code requires ¼ " per 12 " see 41752 , but we were told at this code panel this may be removed by January 1 , 2007 Q What is an ICC - ES evaluation report A Findings that a product is in compliance with the codes wwwICCESORG Q Is access to the whirlpool bathtub pump required for repair A See Plumbing code section 4212 and see the DOI interpretation we have in our office Q Does the NC Energy Code address sunroom additions for one and two family dwellings differently than in the past editions of the code A Yes , see section 50225 in the new energy code Q In a single family dwelling there is a 24 inch wall space on the inside of a bedroom The door of the bedroom opens into the room covering this space Is a receptacle required for this space since the door will cover it A Yes Q Is it permissible to solely use the concrete encased footer steel as a means of grounding , with a wood structure building and non metallic water piping system A Yes Q Is the acceptance for the 2006 NC Administrative Code , Section 1035 and the Building Code , Section 10410 modifications different than the acceptance of Alternative Materials , Design and Methods A Intent of the code is met , equal to the code , can be less than the code if it is safe Q Are water heaters installed in garages required to be elevated A Yes , 18 " for gas and electric , unless they are Flame guard type See section 5025 of the plumbing code Q Must low - e windows be installed to meet the 2006 Energy Code for one and two family dwellings A Yes , not to exceed U 04 and Solar Heat Gain of 04 Q Do temp power poles require the new " in use " covers for receptacles mentioned in the NEC Section 4068 B All cords are removed at the end of the day due to thefts in the area A Yes Q Does the 2006 NC Mechanical Code allow the use of fabric duct systems A Yes Q Please explain NEC 21052 B 5 Some inspectors are asking for receptacles on cabinets under counters with a 6 " or more over hang A This is required , no exception An alternative could be the use of tombstone type receptacles Q Are roof - only structures buildings with out exterior walls subject to the requirements of the building fire codes A Yes Q Where are water heater pans required A Above occupied floor space and in sealed crawlspaces with a drain ran to the outside See section 5047 Q Must window to wall ratio be calculated to use the prescriptive envelope insulation tables in the 2006 NC Energy Code for one and two family dwellings A No , no limits on windows low - e is required , 15 of doors and windows are exempt Q When a check valve or backflow prevention device is installed at the water supply meter , is a thermal expansion device required A Yes , see 6073 anytime you have a water heater except when you have a well with a tank or a tank less water heater Q Have the duct R valve requirements for 2006 Energy Code for one and two family dwellings changed A Yes , see Table 50333 Energy Code , IRC will be the same as well Q May air admittance valves be used to vent individual , branch and circuit vents A Yes , 9173 plumbing code , as long as they are on the same floor Q Does the 2006 Mechanical Code allow condensing type ductless clothes dryer A Yes , 5041 Mechanical Code See installation instructions Continued Next Page From the desk of Chief Building Inspector Dean Barbour IMPORTANT NOTICE Sealed or conditioned foundation systems must be pre - approved by the Johnston County Inspections Department There are contactors that are selling unapproved systems that we will not accept , and they have not been approved for use in North Carolina Sealed foundations must be approved as an alternative method by the authority having jurisdiction PageInspections Calende r Upcoming Events October 2 2 - 5pm inspectors to attend cont education Nov 10 Veteran's Day Holiday Office Closed Nov 23 - 24 Thanksgiving Holiday Office Closed Dec 25 - 26 Christmas Holiday Office Closed Helpful Links wwwncbiaorg - NC Bldg Inspector Association wwwncdoicom - NC Department of Insurance wwwnclicensingorg - NC Board of Examiners of Plumbing , HVAC , and Fire Sprinkler wwwnclbgccom - NC Licensing Board of General Contractors wwwncbeecorg - NC Board of Electrical Contractors Come to the Land Use Center October 31 st to check out this years Halloween costumes Check out the pictures from previous years below WE NEED YOUR HELP Plea se help us get the word out about the Johnston County Inspections D e pa r t me n t Ne ws l e t t er W e wo u l d l i k e to keep everyone up - to - date on the latest c h ang e s an d polici e s of thi s fast growing county If you woul d like to register or know others w ho w oul d lik e to register , you can either vi sit our website at wwwjohnstonnccom inspections o r e - mail me the e - ma il address at dannmichael @ johnstonnccom Page