Book Excerpts

Primary Contact: Bruce Barker, inspectorbruce@cox.net, 623-328-8629

This book does not replace “how to do it” books. If, for example, you wish to replace a water heater, learn the steps for doing so in a “how to do it” book. Use this book to learn if your work complies with IRC 2003 provisions. You should review the IRC provisions in this book before you do the work to avoid changing completed work that does not comply with the IRC. If you need a more detailed and professional understanding of the IRC, I urge you to acquire the IRC Commentary. This large two-volume work contains all IRC provisions accompanied by lengthy explanations and illustrations. It is a valuable resource and is well worth the cost. Finding all relevant IRC provisions is often a challenge. This book gives you three options for finding the provisions you need. You may use the index at the back of this book to find code provisions relating to a word such as switch, stud, or shingle. You may use the Table of Contents to find code provisions relating to a topic such as receptacle installation. Be careful when using the Table of Contents, code provisions about a topic may appear in more than one place. Reading for related topics in similar or related areas of the Table of Contents is often a good idea to be certain you have found all relevant code provisions. The detailed Table of Contents is almost a book in itself. It lists every IRC provision discussed in this book, along with any additional explanation, and discussion material. Once you are familiar with the material in the detailed Table of Contents, you will know if the IRC addresses a topic and, if so, where to find it. By using all three options, you should find the IRC provisions that will help you safeguard those who rely on you to keep their home safe. Chapter 2 Definitions Batten (1) A batten is a vertical wood strip applied at the seam of two pieces of vertical siding, such as 4x8 panel siding. When used with siding material such as 1x6 vertical boards, the siding is called board and batten. (2) A batten is a wood strip, usually a 1x2, applied on a roof to help secure roof coverings such as tile and slate. (3) A batten is a wood strip applied to framing or to masonry as a place to attach drywall or lathing for plaster. In this application it is often called a furring strip. Chimney A chimney is a generally vertical, non-combustible structure that contains at least one flue and exhausts combustion products to the outdoors. A chimney may be constructed using masonry or it may be a factory-built system using a metal flue. Chimneys are usually built for use with solid-fuel-burning fireplaces, but may serve as vents for other fuel-burning devices such as gas or oil-burning equipment. A properly sized chimney may serve as a vent for gas and oil-burning equipment, but chimneys and vents are constructed differently. The rules that apply to chimneys do not always apply to vents. Refer to Chapter 18 for oil-burning equipment vents and Chapter 24 for gas-burning equipment vents. Underlayment (1) Underlayment is a smooth material laid on the subfloor that serves as a base for a finish flooring material such as vinyl or linoleum. In modern homes, the underlayment is often plywood or particleboard. (2) Underlayment is a waterproof material placed under roof coverings including fiberglass shingles and tile. It is usually either 15 or 30 pound (per 100 square feet) roofing felt. Chapter 4 Foundation Construction CRAWL SPACES (R408) Crawl Space Ventilation 1. Provide at least one square foot of net free ventilation area for every 150 square feet of crawl space floor. 2. Subtract the space used by opening covers from the net free ventilation area of a ventilation opening. 3. Install covers such as screens or grates in the ventilation openings. Use screens, grates, grills, or plates with openings at least 1/8 inch and not more than 1/4 inch. 4. Locate a ventilation opening not more than 3 feet from every corner of the crawl space wall. 5. You may reduce ventilation openings to at least one square foot of net free ventilation area for every 1,500 square feet of crawl space floor if the floor is covered with an approved vapor retarder, such as 6 mil polyethylene sheeting, and openings provide sufficient cross ventilation. 6. You may use alternate methods for ventilating a crawl space and for eliminating crawl space ventilation. Refer to IRC 408.2. Crawl Space Access 1. Provide access to the crawl space for inspection and maintenance. You may provide access through an opening in the floor at least 18 inches by 24 inches or you may provide access through an opening in the crawl space wall at least 16 inches by 24 inches. Provide a well at least 16 inches by 24 inches in front of the crawl space entrance if any part of the opening is below grade. Locate the bottom of the well below the bottom of the access opening. 2. Do not locate a crawl space wall access opening under a door to the dwelling. 3. Provide a crawl space access opening at least 22 inches by 30 inches, or large enough to remove the largest appliance, if appliances such as water heaters or furnaces are in the crawl space. Refer to IRC M1305.1.4 for additional requirements when the crawl space contains mechanical appliances.

Preface Building codes preserve your family’s physical and fiscal health and safety. If you are someone who likes to do-it-yourself, a homeowner acting as your own contractor, a contractor, a home inspector, a real estate agent, or anyone else who wants to protect themselves, their family, and customers by using the International Residential Code® (IRC) 2003, then this is your building code book. This book makes the IRC accessible and easier to understand so people can use it without becoming code experts. This book does not replace the IRC. It contains selected IRC provisions and omits others. While every effort has been made to accurately present the IRC in easy to understand language, this book is not the IRC. In a dispute, the wording in the IRC as interpreted by the local building official is the final authority on what IRC provisions mean.

Click here to download a free copy of Everybody's Building Code Chapter 4: Foundation Construction

Crawl Space Discussion Disagreement exists about ventilating crawl spaces, particularly in humid climates; however, some means of controlling crawl space moisture is necessary to reduce wood deterioration and fungal growth. Consider the best practice of making the crawl space semi-conditioned. All crawl spaces need maintenance and inspection. Providing convenient access means that small problems may be discovered early before they become big problems. Convenient access includes leaving enough space between floor joists and the crawl space floor to access all areas of the crawl space. Eighteen inches is the minimum recommended (but not required) clearance between floor joists and the crawl space floor. More clearance is better. Clean all unnecessary wood from the crawl space. Wood left in crawl spaces may att ract termites. Crawl Space Best Practice Avoid building crawl spaces, if possible. Basements may not cost much more and they provide potentially useful storage and living space at a low cost per square foot. If a crawl space is unavoidable, consider one of the recommended methods of making the crawl space semi-conditioned space. By covering the soil with plastic sheeting, sealing and insulating the foundation walls, and providing conditioned air to the crawl space, you can eliminate most crawl space moisture problems.