Chimney & Fireplaces/footer reinforcement

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/10/2008


Question
I work in Collier County, the worst county for inspections.  These guys fail at least 50% of my inspections, and we are a respected contractor.  We hired a private inspection company, NOVA Engineering, in Ft. Myers.  The permit flew through (they reviewed and approved it in 1 week).  But the structural inspector is a hard ass.  He failed my slab inspection today because we were wet sticking the vertical L bars for the masonry.  He said is was against code, but in 8 years I have never seen this.  I can not find in the code book where this is called out.  Normally I wouldn't care, but the Owner is paying $5,000 for timed inspections (Fast-Track).  I can't find this in the book.  Please help.

Answer
John,

I assume your referring to a chimney structure here? If so, I am not a mason and don't build fireplaces. You may want to check though with the folks at the "Masonry Institute" they have always been real knowledgeable and helpfull any time I have had a question concerning masonry construction for an inspection. Good luck.

Chimney & Fireplaces

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.