Community: Building Code Questions

Much of the value of this site is the pooled experience of members and their willingness to share it. This page offers a Community area formatted for Questions & Answers dedicated to Building Code Questions. Other topics appear to the right.

Anyone may ask a question and anyone may answer. Sometimes one of our 15 Advisors may chime in; in other cases, you'll get the wisdom of some of our members who have some experience in this area. We encourage everyone to give us the benefit of both their questions and answers. The usual rules of courtesy apply.

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Please encourage your building inspector to come here and participate in this Code Q&A; in the meantime, jump in with your experiences -- both positive and negative.

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10 Answers
Are there definite rules about exterior doors opening inward, or outward?

I'm putting a screen door in a woman's Condo, and her door exiting onto her back deck, opens outward. So she wants the screen on the inside! I have never seen this. Is this common?

Asked By Adam Beckman | Aug 1 10
60 Answers
Is bubble wrap duct insulation Energy Star approved, and is it a good idea?

I spoke with a HVAC installer who said he wanted to insulate my ducts with double-wrapped bubble wrap as a cheaper way to achieve R6. Does this stuff really work and would it be Energy Star and/or ACCA Manual D approved? Would there be new problems created? I have never seen it done.

Thanks

Asked By Lora | Feb 17 10
18 Answers
Final word on wall construction...?

I am building a new home in New Brunswick, Canada. We are all framed up (booming trusses today) and have been installing 2" XPS rigid foam to the exterior and taping the seams as the walls went up.

Can someone give me clarity on these 3 issues:

1. Do I need to install tyvek over the 2" sealed foam?

2. I read that I should NOT install poly vapour barrier on interior due to the 2" exterior foam acting as a VB, thus allowing the walls to dry to the inside, BUT, do I need to install anything in place of the poly?

Asked By David Thompson | Aug 5 10
31 Answers
Metric and Imperial

In the interests of making the debate on R-values, and U-values more accessible to European readers, or indeed, anyone who lives in a part of the world which uses the metric system (does that include Canada btw?), would it be possible for GBA to compile together a conversion table? Or if there is any available already, to simple link to the same.

I can see from a definitions section in a state of florida building code the following:

Rated R-value of insulation, are in units of h.ft2.degree fahrenheit per BTU, at a mean temp of 75 degrees fahrenheit (24 degrees Celcius).

Asked By Brian O' Hanlon | Jul 22 10
1 Answer
Comment on a rainscreen detail

This is more a comment than a question. Looking at the detail for exterior foam with rainscreen siding, I notice strapping that vents into the attic space. This is something that is not standard here in British Columbia, as it creates a direct route for fire to move into the attic.

We usually vent the rainscreen gap at the top of wall prior to the soffit.

Asked By Ken | Jul 12 10
4 Answers
T-111 code question

Can I use studs, Tyvex, 5/8" T-111 siding -- instead of stud wall, 7/16" OSB, Tyvex, 3/8" RS fir siding?
Basically, I'm trying to eliminate the 7/16" OSB.

Asked By Gary | Jul 6 10
42 Answers
Can you satisfy ASHRAE 62.2 with a recirculating kitchen range fan?

As a Green Rater for the LEED Homes program, I am involved in a fair number of new construction projects that are attempting Passivhaus level building tightness (< 0.6 ACH50). Of course, ventilation systems are a critical piece of all of these homes. All are using HRV/ERV systems to meet the Whole Building Ventilation requirements in 62.2 - Section 4.

Asked By David Milliken | May 7 10
33 Answers
2" foam board under exterior siding — what regulations?

I have 2" Dow foam board that I want to apply to the outside siding of my building which is now covered in 0SB. The building inspector wants to know how this complies with Mass building code and what the requirements for the procedure are. Help!

To Typar or not, vapor barrier, nails or screws (and which kind), strapping or furring strip requirements, window and door treatment, etc. I have to spell it out for him and get the OK before I proceed.

Thanks.

Asked By nancy marcus | Jun 30 10
3 Answers
Post and pier foundation

Can I use a post and pier foundation in Michigan?

Asked By Gary | Jun 26 10
5 Answers
Building Codes, should be free.

Building codes should be free to download. Why? So they are used, simple. Just like the town dump, charge too much and less use it.

Why can't I download copies for $10 to a book reader?

And more important to me. I would like copies of all upcoming future codes while in the infancy. The more that participate the better. Post them online... let us comment like we comment here. Sure lots of posts will make no sense... mine included. But... the free and open debate... boo yaa to that.

So... if you have links to 2009 codes online no cost... 2012 proposals... point us all to them.

Asked By ADKJAC UPSTATE NY | Jun 23 10