- What is the maximum permitted length for an appliance fuel connector serving a range or domestic clothes dryer? Serving other appliances?
PER IRC G2422.1.2.1 Appliance connectors Shall have an overall length not to exceed 6 feet.
- What is the temperature limit for water supplied to a shower? A bathtub? A whirlpool bathtub? A bidet?
PER IRC P2721.2 The discharge water temperature from the bidet fittings shall be limited to not greater then 110F.
PER IRC P2713.3 A water temperature limiting device shall be provided to limit the hot water supplied to a bathtub or whirlpool bathtub to a maximum of 120F.
PER IRC P2708.4 Shower and tub/shower combination valves by this section shall be equipped with a means to limit the maximum setting of the valve to 120F.
In response to the question “How high above a floor in a garage is an appliance with an ignition source required to be located?” in writing assignment #10 of the 2021 IRC Study Course—appliances having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition is not less than 18 inches above the floor in garages.(M1307.3)
In response to the question “ Where must mechanical exhaust air terminate? What locations are strictly prohibited?” for writing assignment #11 in the 2021 IRC Study Course—Exhaust ducts shall terminate not less than 3 feet from property lines, gravity air intake openings, operable windows, doors and not less than 10 feet from mechanical air intake openings.(M1504.3)
In reference to IRC course writing assignment #7
“What is the maximum notch size allowed in a bearing stud wall? In a nonbearing wall? How are notches and bored holes in a top plate to be addressed?”
A notch in a bearing wall stud should be no more than 25% of the framing depth. Non bearing wall studs may be notched up to 40% of the framing depth. When the top plate of the wall framing requires notching or boring holes to a greater depth than half of the framing, the alteration requires installing a metal strap extending six inches beyond each side of the notch. The strap must be minimum of .054" thick and 1-1/2" wide and fastened using eight 10d nails that are 1-1/2" in length.
In response to the questions “ How far above the highest connected appliance outlet must a natural draft appliance vent terminate? How far above the bottom of a wall vent must a natural draft gas vent terminate?” in writing assignment #12 in the 2021 IRC Study Course—vents for natural draft appliances shall terminate not less than 5 feet above the highest connected appliance outlet and natural draft vents serving wall furnaces shall terminate at an elevation not less than 12 feet above the bottom of the furnace(M1804.2.3)
In response to the questions “Where must gas shutoff valves be located? Where must appliance shutoff valves be installed? Equipment shutoff valves for a fireplace?” in writing assignment #13 of the 2021 IRC Study Course—Gas shutoff valves shall be located in places so as to provide access for operation and shall be installed so as to be protected from damage(G2420.1.3). The shutoff valve for appliances shall be located in the same room as the appliance, within 6 feet of the appliance, and shall be installed upstream of the union, connector, or quick disconnect it serves(G2450.5.1). Appliance shut off valves located in the firebox of a fireplace shall be installed in accordance with the appliance manufacturers instructions(G2450.5.1).
In response to the question “What is the temperature limit for water supplied to a shower? A bathtub? A whirlpool bathtub? A bidet?” in writing assignment #14 in the 2021 IRC Study Course—the temperature limit for supply water to a shower is 120 degrees(P2708.4), to a bathtub and whirlpool bathtub is 120 degrees(P2713.3), and to a bidet is 110 degrees(P2721.2).
- What special condition applies where a water heater having an ignition source is installed in a garage?
PER IRC P2801.7 Water heaters having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition is not less than 18 inches above the floor of the garage floor.
Exception Elevation of the ignition source is not required for appliances that are listed as flammable vapor ignition resistant.
In response to the question “When is a water heater required to be installed in a pan? What type of pan is mandated? How big must it be? How shall it be drained?” in writing assignment #15 of the 2021 IRC study course—where a water heater or hot water storage tank is installed in a location where water leakage from the tank will cause damage, the tank shall be installed in a pan that is galvanized steel or aluminum of not less than .0236”, plastic that is not less than .036”, or other approved materials.(P2801.6, 1-3). The pan shall be drained by an indirect waste pipe of not less than .075” diameter.(P2801.6.1)
ASSIGNMENT #5
- How must lots be graded? What is the minimum required slope of the grade away from the foundation?
Lots must be sloped away from the foundation. The slope must be a minimum of 6in with in the first 10 ft of the structure
Assignment #6
What are the limitations for notches in floor joists? Bored holes?
Notches in solid lumber shall not exceed 1/6 of the depth of the member or be longer than 1/3 of the depth of the member and shall not be located in the middle third of the member.
The diameter of holes boredor cut into members shall not exceed 1/3 depth of the members. Holes shall not be closer than 2" to the top or bottom. Holes shall not be closer than 2" apart.
Assignment #7
- What is the minimum required thickness of masonry walls? Parapet walls?
The minimum thickness of masonry bearing walls more than one story high shall be 8" thick.
Unreinforced solid masonry parapet walls shall not be less than 8" thick.
In response to the question “What are the requirements for a sump pump and sump pit?” in writing assignment #16 for the 2021 IRC Study Course—the sump shall not be less than 18” in diameter and 24” deep unless otherwise approved. The sump shall be accessible and located so that all drainage flows into the sump by gravity. The sump shall be constructed of tile, steel, plastic, cast iron, concrete, or other approved material with a removable cover.(P3303.1.2)
In response to the question “Where is bonding required to ensure electrical continuity? What methods of bonding are permitted?” in writing assignment #18 of the 2021 IRC Study Course—Bonding shall be provided where necessary to ensure electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any fault current likely to be opposed.(E3609.1) Bonding is permitted by grounded service connector(E3609.4.1), threaded connections(E3609.4.2), threadless couplings and connectors(E3609.4.3) or bonding-type lock nuts, bushings, and bushings with bonding jumpers.(E3609.4.4).
2021 IRC Writing Assignment 7 * Where must a bored hole in a stud be located? What is the maximum permitted size of a bored hole located in a bearing wall? In a nonbearing wall? The diameter of a bored hole in studs shall not exceed 60% of the stud width and the edge of the hole shall not be less than 5/8" from the edge of the stud. The bored hole shall not be located in the same sections as a cut or notch. Where the diameter of a bored hole in a exterior or bearing wall is over 40 percent, such stud shall be doubled and not more than two successive doubled studs shall be so bored.
- What is the purpose of a vent piping system?
PER IRC P3101.1 The plumbing system shall be provided with a system of vent piping that will allow the admission or emission of air so that the liquid seal of any fixture trap shall not be subjected to a differential of more then 1 inch of water column (249Pa)
In response to the question “Where is ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection mandated?” in writing assignment #18 of the 2021 IRC Study Course—ground fault circuit interrupter protection is mandated in 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles installed in bathrooms, garages, grade-level portions of unfinished accessory buildings used for work/storage areas, outdoors, in a crawl space at or below grade, and basements. Also receptacles that serve kitchen countertop surfaces and all 125v-250v receptacles within 6 feet of the outside edge of a sink.(E3902.1-E3902.7)
- Where must the service disconnecting means be located? What is the maximum number of disconnects?
PER IRC E3601.6.1 the service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of abuilding or inside nearest the point of the service conductors. Service disconnecting means shall not be installed in bathrooms. Each occupant shall have access to the disconnect serving the dwelling unit in witch they reside.
E3601.7 Each service shall have only one means of disconnecting.
- Where is ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection mandated?
PER IRC E3902.1 to E3902.18 Ground fault circuit interrupters shall be installed in all wet or damp locations.