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Building Codes and Inspections/Questions Answered by Expert Keith Fuller
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Diff between Canadian and International codes | 5/12/2012 |
| Q: As a potential Canadian home owner, I'm interested to know the major differences between the ... A: Honesty, I'm not familiar with the Canadian Codes such that I can give you a good answer. Who you ... | |
| balcony/drive thru codes | 5/6/2012 |
| Q: I live in a condo/townhome community,the commons area is in the center area, with the entrance doors ... A: In terms of code compliance, the code that applies would be the code and edition of the code in ... | |
| Unpermitted Construction | 4/14/2012 |
| Q: We have been living in our mobile home for 12 years. Last week we got hit with a building code ... A: That's a typical enforcement scenario, and they're probably correct. The fact that the shed was ... | |
| Construction a Wood Addition to a Concrete Building | 3/16/2012 |
| Q: I would like to know if it is possible to add a wood addition to a concrete building. Besides the ... A: You can from a technical viewpoint, but from a code compliance viewpoint, you must check with your ... | |
| dance floors | 3/7/2012 |
| Q: I’ve attached a picture of a dance floor that was constructed at a senior retirement village ... A: To the best of my knowledge, it is. However, the code I work with here in Pennsylvania may be ... | |
| New construction Code?? | 2/28/2012 |
| Q: I recently purchased a house in Mobile, Alabama and I have some construction background but an not ... A: Ryan, Is the home new? Existing homes were generally code compliant (hopefully) when they were ... | |
| firerating | 2/17/2012 |
| Q: two lots amalgamated i have one building built, and iam building a new building beside it the ... A: I can give you a general answer based on how the ICC codes deal with it. The code compliance ... | |
| Mobile Home building code violations | 2/16/2012 |
| Q: I live in a mobile home park. We purchased our home about 11 years ago. When we purchased it, the ... A: Interesting. I'm curious what is prompting the inspection. Some municipalities have an ordinance ... | |
| Class A chimney pipe | 2/13/2012 |
| Q: My county (Weld, CO)uses 2006 IBC. A grumpy building inspector told us that our Duratech class A ... A: In your case, I would contact your Building Official (not necessarily the inspector) and have them ... | |
| Building Code Variance | 2/2/2012 |
| Q: Keith, I'm looking at adding a stall to my garage but am going to likely come too close to the ... A: You probably have several issue here. The first is not a building issue, but zoning, which requires ... | |
| apartment door mailslots | 1/13/2012 |
| Q: My job as a maintenance associate with a large reality company requires me to seal off all the mail ... A: The problem with mail slot in doors is that it violates the door's rating. Once the rating is ... | |
| sill seal | 12/21/2011 |
| Q: I am building a small (28x28) agriculture building in Hawaii. The code they go by is IBC 2006. ... A: My suggestion is to get back to the building official there and find out why they are requiring the ... | |
| Commercial Floor Load | 12/19/2011 |
| Q: I am trying to buy a home that is zoned residential/commercial. I need to find out what the floor ... A: The minimum required loads are indicated in Sections 1606 and 1607 of the '06 IBC. Table 1607.1 ... | |
| Asbestos Abatement and Insulation Career advice | 11/15/2011 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you can help me but its worth a shot here, and really I just need ... A: It sounds like a reasonable deal to me. I know the insulation and energy field is really growing in ... | |
| building code for tankless hot water | 9/24/2011 |
| Q: We live in Tulsa OK. I bought this house in 2005. I had the old hot water tank removed and had ... A: You should contact the building official in your municipality to find out what the code is there, as ... | |
| code for waterheater strapping | 9/14/2011 |
| Q: What is the code for the strapping for a water heater? I thought it was two straps that went ... A: Strapping of the heater is usually seismic bracing that's only required in some areas. You should ... | |
| Louvered doors in front of furnace/water heater | 9/10/2011 |
| Q: We removed the metal, folding, louvered doors in front of our gas water heater & electric furnace. ... A: The louvered doors are there probably to provide combustion air for the flame producing appliances ... | |
| Garage to room - permit? | 8/25/2011 |
| Q: I have been searching for a house to live in, and have found a few places. I toured one house and ... A: The thing to do is to check with the municipal building official of the municipality in which the ... | |
| Gas Water Heater | 8/18/2011 |
| Q: What is the code for having a gas water heater in a garage. Currently,have one in the garage; it is ... A: The code that governs the building will be that which was in effect at the time of construction. ... | |
| Garage Attic Space | 7/19/2011 |
| Q: My husband and I recently bought a house with a large attic space over the garage. This space is ... A: The ceiling on top of which items are stored was probably not designed for storage, but rather for ... | |
| outside stairs | 5/17/2011 |
| Q: I live in an area of Texas where the ground is known to shift. When my house was built, it was built ... A: This is a fairly common problem. The structure, which is on a foundation, does not settle. The ... | |
| Building Permits | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: We collect building permit information in Utah. All the counties and cities let us have copies of ... A: What you have is a legal question more so than a code question. I can tell you that in Pennsylvania ... | |
| Electric Hot Water Heaters | 3/28/2011 |
| Q: My home was built in PA in 2000. I am selling and the buyer's inspector said I need an expansion ... A: A home built in 2000 will not meet today's code in 2011, nor is it required to. The Pennsylvania ... | |
| Interior ADA Code Signage placement/surfaces | 3/25/2011 |
| Q: Mr. Fuller: I am preparing a proposal for a long-standing client of mine for their new project, ... A: I have no idea why they're saying that, because they shouldn't be causing you to create a violation. ... | |
| boiler room | 3/18/2011 |
| Q: What is the code for storing stuff in a boiler room? I work at a school and the boiler room is nice ... A: My apologies for taking a couple days to get back to you, as I was away. The purpose of the ... | |
| graywater drain into basement | 3/6/2011 |
| Q: my sons house's basement was flooded today. i noticed in the corner after removing a peice of wood, ... A: I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean, but it sounds like grey water is being run into a ... | |
| Garage under house | 3/3/2011 |
| Q: Our raised ranch was built in the 70's and the garage is under the bedrooms. We only have insulation ... A: First, contact your local Building Official to see what the building code is in your municipality, ... | |
| Vinyl Flooring Installation | 2/22/2011 |
| Q: I just purchased a vinyl flooring measurement from Home Depot and the gentlemen there told me I had ... A: They probably do that for liability reasons so an installer isn't grinding it and creating airborne ... | |
| Hot Water Heater | 2/16/2011 |
| Q: What are the code requierments for a hot water heating unit that is located in outside closet ... A: Generally speaking, the unit has to be installed in accordance with it's listing (the manufacturer's ... | |
| Paint and welding area | 2/16/2011 |
| Q: I have a building that is a warehouse, type S-2 occupancy. the building is a tilt up concrete ... A: Based on the 2009 ICC International Building Code, there are accessory use occupancies which cannot ... | |
| REVENTING THE UTILITY ROOM | 2/3/2011 |
| Q: I live in a townhouse in the DC area. The utility closet with furnace and hot water heater are in ... A: The inspector was correct in that the vents are required for combustion air for the burner(s) of the ... | |
| Direct vent hot water heater | 2/3/2011 |
| Q: I live in Montgomery Co., PA. I hope to install a direct vent gas hot water heater. I currently ... A: If this installation is in a single family dwelling, the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code ... | |
| hot water tank location | 2/2/2011 |
| Q: I need to move my Electric hot water tank and the best location, with the least amount of work, ... A: The answer really lies with your local Building Official who can advise you of their code in your ... | |
| gas water heater | 1/20/2011 |
| Q: My gas water heater is out in the open in the laundry room. I would like to put some free standing ... A: The issues involved are the clearance to combustibles, and the need for adequate combustion air. ... | |
| Electrical Room | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: If an electrical room with 1200 amps needs a door with an exit device, when would it be necessary to ... A: I wish I had a simple answer, but this is a complicated question based on information I don't have. ... | |
| Code for installing a garbage disposal under the sink | 1/12/2011 |
| Q: I currently upgraded my kitchen cabinets and appliances. The last day of remodel I go home so see ... A: That's a common installation. The disposal needs electric and a switch to function. What you want to ... | |
| Commercial Property Codes | 1/10/2011 |
| Q: I have a question regarding commercial property codes. Are there any sort of guidelines regarding ... A: Many conventional tubs have an overflow built into the flipper mechanism for raising and lowering ... | |
| Help on insulating in floors? | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: I have turned a garage into a living space, and installed a type of sleeper floor with 2x10 joists @ ... A: Yes. When you convert a garage into living space, then the space must conform with the energy ... | |
| Clearance to combustibles | 12/14/2010 |
| Q: Using the 2006 IBC can you help me find the required minimum clearance from a chimney thimble to ... A: I'll need more information in order to give you a better answer. I need to know what type of ... | |
| Range Ventilation | 12/11/2010 |
| Q: What is the national requirement for ventilation over a cooking surface? A: There is no national requirement. The requirement would be whatever the adopted code is where the ... | |
| grey water | 11/29/2010 |
| Q: i have a shower and sink in my basement that drain into sealed sump that pumps in to septic through ... A: Yes, if it's a dangerous condition, an order can be issued to correct it. I presume by what you said ... | |
| wood stove flue pipe codes for chenango co. ny | 11/27/2010 |
| Q: I plan on installing a wood stove in my garage built in the late 50s. the stove its self is 35 yrs ... A: The code requirements are generally that a chimney/vent system be installed in accordance with it's ... | |
| occupancey /for boiler operations | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: i work in a large building in nj. the boiler operator says that if there is no boiler operator on ... A: I might not be the best person to answer this question, as it it is not so much a building code ... | |
| How to build a firewall | 11/25/2010 |
| Q: I am building a barn with attached apartment and was told I have to have a firewall and there are ... A: It depends on what code is in effect where the project is located. You should contact your building ... | |
| grey water | 11/24/2010 |
| Q: i have a shower and sink in my basement that drain into sealed sump that pumps in to septic through ... A: sorry for the delay in getting you your answer, I just received your question for some reason. ... | |
| Apartment door | 11/14/2010 |
| Q: I believe that there is a fire code requirement for apartment doors to be of solid construction or ... A: The rating of the door is that which was required when the building was constructed, and not ... | |
| top plate | 11/13/2010 |
| Q: I'm building an 8x20 building. I will put a double top plate along the 20 foot sides, with ceiling ... A: Typically in platform framing you would frame the end walls with double top plates, the top one of ... | |
| verticle electrical riser in a stairway | 11/6/2010 |
| Q: can a vertical electrical riser be run in a stairway in a office building with 2 hour fire rated ... A: What you need to do is ask the Building Official where you are working in New York, as I believe ... | |
| hung commerical furnace | 11/4/2010 |
| Q: I built a flex building 22,300 feet with 1200 foot bays for commercial/office/retail use with 18 ... A: Section 306 of the 2006 ICC International Mechanical Code is the section you want to reference. ... | |
| dryer and bathroom venting | 10/26/2010 |
| Q: We bought our home new in '96 and was recently inspected for pre-sale. The inspector found the dryer ... A: Yes, discharging the warm moist air from either of those sources into the attic has always been a ... | |
| NEC 210.70(A)(1) electrical code | 9/28/2010 |
| Q: I am confused about NEC210.70 which requires a wall-switch controlled lighting outlet in bathroom ... A: It may, but that would be up to the authority having jurisdiction, as they will be approving the ... | |
| NEC 210.70(A)(1) electrical code | 9/28/2010 |
| Q: I am confused about NEC210.70 which requires a wall-switch controlled lighting outlet in bathroom ... A: There are really two issues here. One is the GFI protection which I believe is required for ... | |
| Multi-unit apt. inspections for landlords-Sullivan Cty. NY | 9/24/2010 |
| Q: In 18 years of owning a 4-unit apt. building in Lumberland Township, Sullivan County NY I have had ... A: Actually, you have a legal question rather than a code question. It's been my experience that what ... | |
| sliding glass doors | 9/22/2010 |
| Q: does the IBC allow a sliding glass door to serve as the "egress door" for a residence A: The required 3 ft wide exit door must be side swinging. The controlling ICC code is the ... | |
| Garage Apartments-Electric | 9/21/2010 |
| Q: I have a garage apartment in Jacksonville,Fl which is at the rear of the main house.Two living units ... A: You may have several issues to deal with, some code related, some not. Your municipality will be the ... | |
| Basement banister installation. | 9/16/2010 |
| Q: I was finishing my basement and the existing banister installed by the builder (constructed of 2 x ... A: There are several code related issues here. One is the handrail (the part you grab with your hand ... | |
| Electrical Code | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: Keith, I am a industrial electrician (over 35 yrs). I volunteered to do a electrical upgrade at the ... A: Tim, I believe the 18" rule interpretation to be incorrect, but don't be afraid to ask the ... | |
Building Codes and Inspections
Answers by Expert:
Keith Fuller
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I'm an ICC Certified Master Code Professional fielding general building code questions. My experience has been heavy in fire related issues.
Experience
I've been employed since 1985 as an inspector and plan reviewer, and am a municipal Assistant Building Official and Deputy fire Marshal. I've had fire service experience since 1972, having served as a three time Fire Chief and Fire Marshal in years past. The increasing workload, mandatory certifications, and continuing education requirements in recent years have caused me to concentrate my efforts on code related issues. I hold national fire service certifications as well.
Education/Credentials
ICC Master Code Professional
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