Question: In what manner must the sill plate be connected to the foundation wall? What is the maximum size and spacing for anchor bolts?
Answer: Sill plates should be secured to the foundation wall with anchor bolts. At minimum, a 1/2 inch anchor bolts should be used. They should be spaced, at most, 6 feet on center. The bolts should extend at least 7 inches into the foundation. You can also use approved anchors straps that are spaced so as to provide the same anchorage as the 1/2 inch bolts.
Where a storage tank-type water heater or a 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 constructed of one of the following: (1) galvanized steel or aluminum of not less than
0.0236 inch in thickness, (2) plastic not less than 0.036 inch in thickness, or (3) other approved materials. The pan shall be not less than 11/2 inches deep and shall be of sufficient size and shape to receive all dripping and condensate from the tank or water heater. The pan shall be drained by an indirect waste pipe of not less than 3/4 inch diameter.
Open vent pipes that extend through a roof that do not meet the conditions of Section
P3103.1.2 (roof used for educational purposes) or P3103.1.3 (roof extension covered)
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 (2134 mm) above the roof.
Except as otherwise specified in Chapters 34 through 43, the dimension of the working
space in the direction of access to panelboards and live parts of other equipment likely to
require examination, adjustment, servicing or maintenance while energized shall be not
less than 36 inches in depth. In addition to the 36-inch dimension, the work space shall not be less than 30 inches wide in front of the electrical equipment and not less than the width of such equipment. The work space shall be clear and shall extend from the floor or platform to a height of 6.5 feet or the height of the equipment, whichever is greater.
Writing assignment #18
Required GFCI protection.
125-volt through 250-volt receptacles installed in bathrooms; garages; grade-level
portions of unfinished accessory buildings used for storage or work areas; outdoors; in a crawl
space at or below grade; and basements shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.
See the exceptions. 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles that serve kitchen countertop sur
faces, and all 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles that are located within 6 feet (1829 mm) of
the outside edge of a sink shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
When is a permit required?
A permit is required when any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure.
What types of work are exempted from permits?
One story detached accessory buildings where limited to 200 sq ft in floor area (other than storm shelters)
Fences not over 7 ft high
Retaining walls not over 4 ft high
Water tanks supported directly on grade, if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height to diameter ratio does not exceed 2 to 1
Sidewalks and driveways
Painting, papering, tiling carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Swings and other playground equipment
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall
Decks, if (1) 200 sq ft max, (2) limited to 30 inches above grade, (3) not attached to a dwelling and (4) not serving the required exit door
The international residential code sets a minimum standard for the construction of homes with the main goal of health and safety and well-being of the public as well as those living in single family homes, townhouses and smaller block apartments buildings.
In reference to writing assignment #1:
The International Residential Code (IRC) provides minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. Its purpose is to safeguard the health and safety of the occupants of those homes/dwellings by regulating and controlling the design, construction, and quality of materials used in the building process. The IRC is comprehensive in its scope, covering structural elements, fire safety, building materials, energy efficiency, and more to ensure that residential construction meets certain standards for safety and habitability.
In reference to the writing assignment #2:
Light-framed construction is a construction method that utilizes light structural materials such as wood or steel to create the framework of a building. This method is commonly used in residential and low-rise commercial structures. The framing typically consists of closely spaced members, such as studs, joists, and rafters, which are assembled to create the structural skeleton of the building.
How many egress doors from a dwelling are required? Not less than one. Under what conditions is an additional egress door required? Multiple dwellings. What is the minimum required size of an egress door? 32 inches by 78 inches.
How must lots be graded? Graded so as to drain surface water away from foundation walls with exceptions for use of drains and swales. What is the minimum required slope of the grade away from the foundation? Not fewer than 6 inches within the first 10 feet.
In reference to writing assignment #6
What are the limitations for notches in floor joists? Notches shall not exceed1/6 of the depth of the member, shall not be longer than 1/3 the depth of the member and shall not be located in the middle 1/3 of the span. Notches at the ends of the member shall not exceed 1/4 the depth of the member. The tension side of members 4 inches or greater in nominal thickness shall not be notched except at the ends of the members. Bored holes? Shall not exceed1/3 the depth of the member. Not be closer than 2 inches to the top or bottom of the member, or to any other hole located in the member. Where a member is notched, the hole shall not be closer than two inches to the notch.
In reference to writing assignment #7
What is the criteria for the installation of weep screeds in exterior plaster applications?
R703.7.2.1
A minimum 0.019 inch (.5mm) (#26 galvanized sheet gauge), corrosion resistant weep screed or plastic weep screed, with a minimum vertical attachment flange of 3 1/2 inches shall be provided at or below the foundation plate line on exterior stud walls in accordance with ASTM C926, the weep screed shall be placed not less than 4 inches above the earth or 2 inches above paved areas and shall be of a type that will allow trapped water to drain to the exterior of the building. The weather resistant barrier shall lap the attachment flange. The exterior lath shall cover and terminate on the attachment flange of the weep screed.
Study session 2 Writing Assignment: What is a dead load? A live load?
Dead load is the weight of all materials of construction including but not limited to walls, floors, structural items, fixed service equipment, etc.
Live loads produced by the use and occupancy of the building or other structures that do not include construction or environmental loads.
Where is flashing required? Any and all roof joints or penetrations. How is roof drainage to be addressed? Secondary emergency overflow roof drains or scuppers.
At what minimum height is a masonry chimney required to terminate? Not less than three feet above the highest point where the chimney passes through the roof.
How high above a floor in a garage is an appliance with an ignition source required to be located? Appliances having an ignition source shall be elevated so that the source of the ignition is not less than 18 inches above the garage floor.
Writing Assignment #3
What is the minimum ceiling height permitted for a living room or bedroom? A hallway? Bathroom? Basement? Where can a reduction in such heights be acceptable?
Habitable spaces such as living room, hallways, bedroom, portion of basements minimum ceiling height is 7ft. Bathrooms shall not be less than 6ft 8inches in ceiling height. There can be reduction in ceiling height for a sloped ceiling.
Writing Assignment #1
The IRC was created to establish minimum requirements necessary to protect the safety and general welfare of the public with regard to detached one and two family dwellings and townhouses, with three stories or less, and their accessory structures.
Writing Assignment #2
What is a dead load? Dead load refers to a building’s non-moving or permanent parts, i.e., walls, beams, columns, roofs and flooring. A dead load remains constant with fixed weight and vertical distribution. What is a live load? Live load refers to moving elements and variable factors such as people and furniture and can vary in size and location over time.
Writing Assignment #3
The minimum size of the largest habitable room in a dwelling unit is 120 square feet. Other habitable rooms must be a minimum of 70 square feet.