Question: What is the basic method for creating a grounding electrode system? When is the use of a metal underground water pipe permitted for such a such system?
The grounding electrode system is design to ground the structure to the earth in case an electical overload or surge.
There are multiple was to ground a residential home. There are concrete incased electrodes (ufer grounds), Metal underground water pipes, Interior metal water pipeing, ground rings, Rod and pipe electrodes and Plate Electrodes.
All of the electrodes above, except the ufer ground have to be paired with a second grounding type.
Exterior metal water pipe must be in direct contact with the earth for a min. of 10 feet.
Interior metal water pipe must be less than 5 feet from the point of entrance into the building.
Ground Ring: No smaller that 2 awg, buring 30 inches below the surface and at least 20 feet I length.
Plate Electrodes. Buring 30 inches below ground surface and must be a least 2 sqft in size.
Ground Rods: All ground rods shall be 8 feet in length and 5/8 diameter is they are made of stainless steel, copper or zinc coated steel. ¾ in diameter is regular galvanized steel.
What is the purpose and scope of the International Residential Code?
R101.3 Purpose
The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of safety, health and general welfare through affordability, structural strength, mean of egress, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation and safety to the life and property from fire and other hazards and to provide a reasonable level of safey to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
R101.2 Scope
The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal and demolition of detached one and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above their grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height.
Question: What is the purpose and scope of the International Residential Code?
Answer: The IRC is a comprehensive set of building standards. It’s purpose is to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the public by standardizing construction practices. The scope is safety and health, uniform standards, structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, plumbing systems, electrical systems, mechanical systems, accessibility, and inspections and compliance.
Stairs have specific requirements which need to be strictly adhered to. Stair risers must not exceed 7.75” with a maximum difference between treads of 3/8”. Stair treads must be 10” minimum with a maximum difference of 3/8”. Maximum vertical rise between landings is 151”.
Exterior grading must be fall 6” within the first 10’. Swales or drains must be used if lot lines or walls prevent the required grading. Concrete surfaces also have a grading requirement of approximately 2” within the first 10’.
Notches in floor joists are limited to 1/6 the depth of the framing member. Their length is limited to 1/3 the depth. Notches can not be in the middle third of the joists. The notch depth can be increased to 1/4 the depth on the ends. Bored holes may not exceed 1/3 the depth and must be 2” from the top and bottom of the framing member
In what manner are counter receptacles to be located? How do the provisions differ for island counter spaces? For peninsular counter spaces?
E3901.3 Kitchen countertop and island receptacles shall be served by not less than 2, 20 amp circuits.
E3902.6 and E3902.17. These 2 circuits and all receptacles involved shall be both AFCI and GFCI protected.
E3901.4.2. Islands and peninsula shall have at least one receptacle for the 1st, 9 sqft and a 2nd receptacle for every additional 18 sqft.
E3901.4 Every wall space 12 inches wide shall have a receptacle. Receptacles shall be installed that at no point along the wall lines is more than 24 inches measured horizontally from a receptacle.
Receptacles are not required behind the sink area.
What clearance is mandated between combustible insulation and recessed luminaires?
The answer can be found in Part III Building and Planning, Code R302.14 (Combustible insulation clearance). Answer: Not less than 3 inches or 76 millimeters (there are exceptions).
The code states:
Combustible insulation shall be separated not less than 3 inches (76 mm) from recessed luminaires, fan motors and other heat-producing devices.
Exception: Where heat-producing devices are listed for lesser clearances, combustible insulation complying with the listing requirements shall be separated in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the listing.
Recessed luminaires installed in the building thermal envelope shall meet the requirements of Section N1102.4.5 of this code
In what manner must safety glazing be identified? Multipane assemblies?
The answer to this question can be found in code section 2406.3 and 2406.3.1 respectively.
The code referring to glazing identification:
Except as indicated in [Section 2406.3.1], each pane of safety glazing installed in hazardous locations shall be identified by a manufacturer’s designation specifying who applied the designation, the manufacturer or installer and the safety glazing standard with which it complies, as well as the information specified in [Section 2403.1]. The designation shall be acid etched, sand blasted, ceramic fired, laser etched, embossed or of a type that once applied, cannot be removed without being destroyed. A label meeting the requirements of this section shall be permitted in lieu of the manufacturer’s designation.
Exceptions:
1.For other than tempered glass, manufacturer’s designations are not required, provided that the building official approves the use of a certificate, affidavit or other evidence confirming compliance with this code.
2.Tempered spandrel glass is permitted to be identified by the manufacturer with a removable paper designation.
The code referring to multipane assemblies:
Multipane glazed assemblies having individual panes not exceeding 1 square foot (0.09 m2) in exposed areas shall have one pane or more in the assembly marked as indicated in [Section 2406.3]. Other panes in the assembly shall be marked “CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201” or “ANSI Z97.1”, as appropriate.
What is the definition of light-framed construction?
Answer: Light-framed construction is a type of construction whose vertical and horizontal structural elements are primarily formed by a system of repetitive wood or light-gage steel framing members.
Notches in bearing walls are limited to 25% of stud depth. Interior non-bearing walls can be notched up to 40%. Top plates notched more than 50% require 1.5" strap across notch. Mechanical plumbing and electrical codes require nail plates for notches and most bored holes.
Asphalt shingles are not allowed on a roof with a slope of less than 2:12. Roof slopes from 2:12 to 4:12 require a double underlayment. Shingles must be secured with 4 fasteners that penetrate the sheathing at least 3/4”. Side wall, rake, and drip edge flashing are required on all shingle roofs.
Climate zones are determined by the structure’s location in the climate zone map. The climate zone determines the location of vapor retarders, insulation levels of walls, floors, ceilings, and the allowable air leakage rate of the structure at 50 pascals of pressure
If a condensate blockage could cause damage to building components, one of several safety precautions must be taken. A detection device in the primary line that will cut off the unit is an option. A secondary drain can run to a conspicuous location. A drain pan can be installed with the pan drain to a conspicuous location. A drain pan can be installed with an interlock device to shut the down the ac unit. Downflow units require a sensing device and cutoff in the primary drain line. The minimum drain line size is 3/4”
Per Table M1505.4.4, Minimum exhaust rates for kitchens are 100 cfm intermittent or 25 continuous. Minimum exhaust rates for bathrooms is 50 cfm intermittent or 20 cfm continuous. Makeup air is required for kitchen exhaust systems exceeding 400 cfm. Generally, exhausts should terminate 3’ from openings into a building or property lines.
Combustion air for solid fuel burning appliances must be installed per the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Oil fired appliances are regulated by NFPA 31. Fuel fired like gas appliances are regulated by Chapter 24 of the IRC. Combustion air from outside with grilles having the appropriate free are per btu depend on their termination of horizontal or vertical and the number of openings. Different options include 1 square inch of area per 2,000, 3,000, or 4,000 btu of output.
G 2420 regulated shut off valves to fuel fired appliances. Each meter shall have a valve on the supply side of the meter. Each building must have a shutoff on the exterior of the building.
Appliance shutoff valves must be accessible, protected from damage, and within 6’ of the appliance it serves. They must be installed upstream of the union or connector that disconnects the piping. Fireplace shutoff valves located in the firebox must be installed in accordance with the installation instructions. Typically manufacturers require a fireplace key remote from the appliance.
Building sewer systems must be tested with 10’ of head pressure for minimum of 15 minutes. A forced sewer system requires a test of 5 psi greater than the pump rating for a minimum of 15 minutes. The DWV system requires either a 5’ of head pressure above the highest system, or an air test if other than plastic piping for 15 minutes. The supply piping test consists of normal water pressure on the entire system or air testing of 50 psi if other than plastic piping. Pex systems can be tested with air if approved by the manufacturer
The water heater must be installed in a pan if installed in an area where leakage could cause damage to the building. Galvanized, steel, aluminum, or plastic pans are permitted if they meet the thickness specifications in P 2801.6. The drain pan must be 1.5 inches deep and larger than the water heater to catch any points of leakage. The pan shall have a drain of 3/4” minimum terminated over an indirect waste receptor or outdoors 6-24” above grade.
Vent terminals must terminate 6” above a sloped roof. A flat roof usable as a deck requires termination 7’ above the roof. Vents must terminate at least 4’ below, or 3’ above doors, windows, or air intakes within 10 foot horizontally of the vent.
Overhead service conductors must maintain a minimum of 10’ vertical clearance from decks, porches, and balconies for 3’ past the edge. Vertical clearance above roofs depends of the slope of the roof. The minimum clearance is 18” for limited lengths of conductors passing over only the overhanging portion of the roof. The clearances increase up to 8’ vertically, depending on the roof slope. 10’ is required for sidewalks only for pedestrians, 12’ minimum for driveways, and up to 18’ for areas subject to truck traffic. See NEC 230.24 and IRC 3604 for more detailed information
Conductive pool shells, perimeter surfaces, metal on pumps, heaters, metal forming shells, the water, and any other metal components within 5’ of a pool must be connected together with an 8 awg solid copper conductor. Non conductive shells must have a copper 12” by 12” mat under the shell and extend to the perimeter. Perimeter surfaces can be rebar or the 8 awg conductor. This forms what is called the equipotential grid. It is to reduce voltage gradients around the pool. Connectors must be identified for wet and corrosive environments. They shall be copper, copper alloy, or stainless steel and listed for direct burial. Section E 4205 for equipment requiring to be grounded (bonded). All electrical equipment and metal parts except for listed low voltage items must be connected to an equipment grounding conductor and effective ground fault current path.
See NEC 680 or IRC Chapter 42 for more details.
In reference to Writing Assignment #3, 2021 IRC Exam Study Course:
Per R304 / The minimum required size of the largest habitable room in a dwelling is 70 square feet of floor area.
2021 IRC writing assignment 4* What is the minimum size required for a landing? Under what conditions is a landing not required on each side of an exterior door?
Minimum landing size is 36x36 inches. At exterior doors ground level or that open towards the interior wouldn’t require specific landing size.
2021 IRC writing assignment 5 - * How must lots be graded? What is the minimum required slope of the grade away from the foundation?
Lots shall be graded to drain surface water away from foundation walls. Grade shall not be fewer that 6 inches within the first 10 feet.