Q: * At what minimum height must an open vent pipe terminate above a roof? What if the roof is used for a purpose other than weather protection?
A: Requirements for vent heights are found in Section P3103.1.1 Roof Extensions. open vent pipes shall terminate not less than 6 inches above the roof or 6 inches above the anticipated snow accumulation. Exceptions are found in Sections P3103.1.2 and P3103.1.3.
If a roof is used for a purpose other than weather protection, such as recreational use than Section P3103.1.2 applies. Which states, “where a roof is to be used for assembly…open vent pipes shall terminate not less than 7 feet above the roof.”
Access shall be provided to solar energy equipment for maintenance. Solar systems and appurtenances shall not obstruct or interfere with the operation of any doors, windows or other building components requiring operation or access. Roof mounted solar thermal equipment shall not obstruct or interfere with the operation of roof mounted equipment, appliances, chimneys, plumbing vents, roof hatches, smoke vents, skylights and other roof penetrations and openings.
Each appliance shall be provided with a shutoff valve in accordance with section G2430.5.1 located in the same room. The shutoff valve shall be located in the same room as the appliance. The shutoff valve shall be within 6 feet of the appliance, and shall be installed upstream of the union, connector or quick disconnect device it serves. Such shutoff valves shall be provided with access.
New plumbing work and parts of existing systems by new work or alterations shall be inspected by the building official to ensure compliance with the requirements of the IRC.DWV systems shall be tested on completion of the rough piping installation by water, by air for piping systems other than plastic, or by vacuum of air for plastic piping systems, without evidence of leakage. After the plumbing fixtures have been set and their traps filled with water, their connections shall be tested and proved gas tight and or water tight.
Once the water supply system is complete , it must be tested under a minimum water pressure equivalent to the working pressure of the system. As an alternative, a minimum 50 psi air test is permitted for the testing of all systems other than plastic.
Water heaters having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition is not less than 18 inches above the garage floor. Unless properly elevated. a fuel burning water heater poses a serious fire hazard. A garage is commonly used as a storage area for gasoline and common household items such as paint, paint thinner, and solvents. Fumes from these flammable liquids tend to collect near the floor and produce vapors denser than air. The 18 inch requirement is intended to prevent an energy or heat source from becoming a source of ignition.
Writing Assignment #1. Permits are required for major construction, structural changes, significant electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. Exempted work includes minor repairs, small-scale projects, basic electrical/plumbing tasks, and landscaping.
Open vent pipes that extend through a roof that do not meet the conditions of section P3103.1.2 shall terminate not less than 6 inches above the roof or 6 inches above the anticipated snow accumulation, whichever is greater. Where a roof is to be used for assembly, as a promenade, observation deck or sunbathing deck or for similar purposes, open vent pipes shall terminate not less than 7 feet above the roof.
Open conductors and multi conductor cables an overall outer jacket shall have a clearance of not less than 3 feet from the sides of doors,porches,decks,stairs, ladders, fire escapes and balconies and from the sides and bottom of windows that open. Conductors shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 8 feet above the roof surface. The vertical clearance above the roof level shall be maintained for a distance of not less than 3 feet in all directions from the edge of the roof. Over head service conductors shall have the following minimum clearances from final grade… Pedestrian access only 10 feet minimum. Residential property and drive ways 12 feet minimum and areas subject to truck traffic 18 feet minimum.
E3802.2.1 Across structural members. Where run across the top of floor joists, or run within 7 feet of floor or floor joists across the face of rafters or studding, in attics and roof spaces that are provided with access, the cable shall be protected by substantial guard strips that are at least as high as the cable. Where such spaces are not provided with access by permanent stairs or ladders, protection shall only be required within 6 feet of the nearest edge of the attic entrance.
In reference to writing assignment #7 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
Bored holes must be located at a minimum of 5/8” from face of stud. Maximum of 25% notch in bearing wall and 40% in nonbearing wall: 40% bored hole in bearing wall, and 60% in nonbearing wall. An exception is allowed for up to a 60% bored hole for maximum of two successive studs in a bearing wall if they are doubled-up.
Q: * Where must the service disconnecting means be located? What is the maximum number of disconnects?
A: Found in Section E3601.6.2. Service disconnect is required to be located at a readily accessible location. It can be located outside of a building or inside nearest the entrance of the service conductors. They are not allowed in bathrooms.
Maximum number of disconnects is covered in Section E3601.7. Each service shall have only one disconnect. Unless specified in Sections E3601.7.1 through E3601.7.3. In all cases the maximum number is six.
Q: * Where is ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection mandated?
A: Mandates are found in Section E3902.1 through E3902.15. There are many areas that are required to have GFCI protection. These include, but are not limited to; bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, outdoors, and crawlspaces. In general, they are required in any damp locations.
Writing Assignment 9:
At what minimum height is a masonry chimney required to terminate?
The masonry chimney must terminate no less than 2ft above any surface when a building is within 10ft. If the chimney penetrates the roof it should be no less than 3 ft above the highest point.
Writing Assignment #6
Q: * What is the minimum permitted thickness for concrete slab-on-ground floors? How must the site be prepared?
A: In accordance with R506.1 & R506.2, the minimum floor thickness shall be 3 1/2" and the area within the foundation walls shall have all vegetation, top soil, and foreign material removed.
Written Assignment 10:
How high above a floor in a garage is an appliance with an ignition source required to be located?
Appliances having an ignition source should be not less than 18 inches above the floor. Exception is appliances listed as Flammable-Vapor-Ignition Resistant (FVIR).
Written Assignment 11:
Which sources of outside or return air are prohibited?
Recirculation of air with objectionable odors, fumes, and flammable vapors are prohibited. This is why no return registers should be placed in garages, bathrooms, kitchens, unconditioned attic spaces, and mechanical rooms. Outside air intake should be placed 10 ft laterally from any source exhaust unless it is 3 ft higher the the intake.
Written Assignment 12:
What special conditions apply to the installation of a solar energy system?
IRC M2301.2.1: Access shall be provided to allow for maintenance. Solar systems should not obstruct or interfere with the operation of any doors, windows, or other building components requiring operation or access. Roof mounted equipment shall not obstruct or interfere with chimneys, plumbing vents, skylights etc…
Written Assignment 13:
What materials are acceptable for use as gas piping? When are materials allowed to be used again?
G2414 (403): Materials used for gas piping are metallic, cast-iron, steel. Gas tubing materials are steel, stainless steel, copper, CSST, and plastic pipes/tubes/fittings. G2414.2 (403.2) Used materials can be used after they are free of foreign materials and have been ascertained to be adequate for the service intended.
Writing Assignment #7
Q: 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?
A: Bored holes shall not be located in the same section as a cut or notch. However, the diameter shall not exceed 60% of the stud depth and the edge of the hole shall not be less than 5/8" from the edge of the stud.
In reference to writing assignment #8 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
Flashing is installed wherever there is a roof joint or penetration, where there is an intersection of two roof surfaces, or where the roof meets an exterior wall. Roof drainage is to be addressed through a system designed to remove water from the roof and convey it away from the building.
In reference to writing assignment #9 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
The chimney must be at least 3 feet above the highest point where it passes through the roof. Also, the chimney should extend not less than 2 feet higher than any portion of a building within 10 feet. Additionally, according to NFPA-211 1-8.2, natural draft chimneys and vents should not terminate at an elevation less than 5 feet above the flue collar or the highest connected draft hood outlet.
In reference to writing assignment #10 of the 2021 International Residential Code Exam Study Course:
In a garage, any appliance with an ignition source is required to be elevated such that the source of ignition is not less than 18 inches above the floor. This requirement is to reduce the risk of ignition of flammable vapors.