r/BuildingCodes

I’m in the US, Ohio. Went to a friends place and saw that the main floor did not have drywall or anything covering the joist for the ceiling. It was just painted with professionally installed lighting. Kinda industrial look I guess.

I’ve done construction jobs most of my life and had the luxury of learning from guys that have whole lives worth of experience. When I was learning drywall, 20 years ago now, I was taught your ceiling is required to be 5/8 thick. Was told it is for fire containment. Same reason blocking is needed if you are running long studs between two floors.

Did this rule change? Was it ever a rule? Are your ceiling joists aloud to be exposed?

Can anyone give some insight into how different these tests are? Specifically how chapter 11 is handled?

I’ve been reviewing a lot of exam prep material online and everything is geared toward the B2 exam but it’s hard finding material for the CA commercial building inspector exam.

After some initial review, it seems like the biggest difference in the CBC vs the IBC is chapter 11.

Thanks!

ICC finally got me. Scored a 72.

Received a complaint relating to my parents’ property in Orange County, California. They have some structures that do not meet the setback requirements. But my main question is regarding trellises. They have a few for plants.

One trellis is approximately 4 ft wide by 10 ft long and about 4 ft tall.

Another is 6ft wide by 20 ft long about 6.5 ft tall

Third one is about 6 ft wide by 15 ft long about 6 ft tall.

The city says these would fall under accessory structures. It doesn’t seem right, and I am not getting clear information online. Can anyone offer some insight if these 3 trellises are really accessory structures?

Alternatively, they say that only 3 non permitted free standing structures are allowed as long as the footprint of these trellises are less than 120 sf.

Thanks in advance!

I'm a PE and operate my own firm with a couple drafters here in Oregon. I'm finding myself wanting to be on the other side of the fence. Is the grass greener? Can I still moonlight my business as long as it's not a conflict of interest (probably keep my out-of-state work going)? Should I start just taking ICC tests or should I apply for a job first?

I am planning to take the BCIN Legal and Small Buildings exams. Someone advised me that taking a preparatory course at George Brown College would be helpful.

If I remodel the master bathroom w slight movement in plumbing and move of a non-load bearing wall do I need to pull permits - contractor says no. Will there be any problems if we decide to sell house?

Hi, I’ve been doing some work in my garage and sometimes run into conflicting code requirements related to these two terms. We’re adding a powder room, enclosing the laundry in a closet and dry wall. No AC other than a window unit.

How do these two terms get defined? When does unfinished space become habitable and/or living space?

I worked for a contractor years ago 2019 and witnessed something that disturbed me at the time that I recently recalled. It seemed so egregious and negligent that I thought surely it was illegal. I recall at least two plate embeds to pilasters that weren’t placed in the rebar to be bolted up prior to the form being set. I don’t recall the exact dimensions of the pilaster, but recall the wall being approx 14’ tall and at least 14” wide. This was a foundation to six or seven story building with a cantilever directly above these pilasters on about the fourth floor that precast panels hung from. Well, rather than remove the form to properly place the embeds, I witnessed two carpenters cut the column ties out of the pilaster to place them. I feel that it should be known to the occupant of the building if it hasn’t already revealed itself. Should I and if so, how would one go about doing so?

every time i look one up it's a different format, buried in a PDF from 2009, with amendments that reference other amendments. curious how people actually deal with this.

I’m pretty certain based on anything I’ve read that my fire escape situation is a housing code violation in nyc. There is a fire escape, but it is between two windows in my apartment, and you’d have to awkwardly and dangerously climb out of your window and over the sides of the fire escape. The only other exit is the main entrance. I am technically on the 2nd floor, 3rd if you’re considering the garden floor apt. I have texted mgmt about it before and they don’t reply about it but will reply about other matters. My lease is up at the end of Sept and both of my roommates are moving out. I’ve been here a few years and will most likely stay. I called my mgmt company and basically said hey listen I like you guys and don’t want this to sound like a threat but these are the concerns I have- would it be possible to go month to month instead of signing a new lease, or at least don’t hike the rent, which they’ve done every year by $75. I’m now nervous and second guessing myself. As far as mgmt companies go they aren’t bad and I don’t want a bad relationship with them. Is this definitely a violation? Do I have a leg to stand on? Looking for any kind of advice really.

I am looking to add on to a customer’s house. This will be my first project as a GC. The customer wants to close in their carport but it will be about 3’ off the ground (haven’t measured yet) to meet the existing floor. Where can I find the foundation/footing requirements for something like this?

EDIT: Close in carport for livable space. It will be a living room / office area.

Hello i’m currently working as a building inspector in Texas and was wondering if there are any other career opportunities i can pursue with experience as an inspector. I have my state plumbing inspector license and 6 ICC certifications. I mostly want to change because of the pay. Building inspectors just don’t get paid much here

Hello,

After 10 years as a special inspector in my niche (non-structural), I'm transitioning to the municipal side for more consistent pay and set hours. I currently have two municipal interviews coming up!

I am planning to get my building inspector certifications and originally looked at the standard B1 and B2, but I noticed the J1 and I1 tailored for California codes. My ultimate goal is to earn my ICC combination certs and eventually my master certs, so I feel the international B1/B2 might be the better route for my career.

For those working in SoCal municipalities:

Is there a preference between the two?

Are the international certs sufficient, or is the local California code typically mandated by cities?

I want to prioritize whichever certification makes me the strongest candidate. Any advice would be highly appreciated.