MAIN WATER LINE. Shut off valve location.

The main water line shut off valve is required to be within 5 feet of the foundation wall or on an exterior wall.  The shut off valve can also be located on the garage/house wall, provided the most direct path is taken.  If installed on the garage/house wall, rated boxes or putty pads need to be installed.  A non-rated washer box or ice maker box may not be used to house the shut off valve if located on the garage/house wall.

DRYER VENT BOX. Fire stopping at duct penetration. 

Is the dryer vent box required to be fire caulked or fire foamed at the dryer exhaust duct penetration?               

No, it is not required.   The dryer vent box installation instructions include no language requiring the duct penetration perimeter be fire stopped.  The dryer exhaust duct penetration at the top plate is required to be fire caulked or fire foamed per NCMC 504.2.

PILING FOUNDATIONS. Is a special inspection required?

Per 1704.2.3 Exception 2: The building official is authorized to waive the submission of a statement of special inspections if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that review of a statement of special inspections is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code. 

The submission of a statement of special inspections can be waived in favor of a pile letter, from the pile installer, for single family dwellings. For commercial piers, the submission of a statement of special inspection is required per 1705.1.2.

Per Pak Yip, PE, Chief Building Code Consultant at OSFM: “While it is recommended that a licensed engineer perform the special inspections for the piling foundation, a notarized letter from the installer or contractor confirming that the installation was completed in accordance with the engineer’s design may be submitted to the inspector at the time of inspection."

Effective 1/22:

Per North Carolina Residential Code section R327:  DOCKS, PIERS, BULKHEADS AND WATERWAY STRUCTURES.

R327.1 General.  Docks, piers, bulkheads and waterway structures shall be constructed in accordance with Chapter 36 of the North Carolina Building Code.  

Exceptions: Structures complying with the following are not required to meet the provisions of this code.  

1. Docks and Piers built over private ponds. 

2. Fixed in place walkways, docks, and piers not covered in Exception 1 and not exceeding 144 square feet for single family dwelling. 

3. Minor repairs to existing docks, piers and waterway structures.

See NCBC sections 3608, 1704 and 1705.1.2.

PLUMBING PIPE INSULATION. OK in insulated exterior walls?

Is plumbing pipe insulation prohibited from being in the exterior insulated wall when it is not required to be installed?  While it can be argued that the building insulation R value is reduced with the installation of pipe insulation, an alternate thought is that pipe insulation cannot be prohibited if the plumbing contractor chooses to use it whether on the heated side of the wall or not. Additionally, the reduction of R value is witnessed and accepted on other items such as vents, refrigerant lines, panelboards, etc. 

If pipe insulation is installed on the water lines, and R 15 is also installed in that cavity, the wall and pipes in that cavity shall be considered code compliant regardless of compression to the R 15 due to the pipe insulation.

TEMPORARY POWER. Ground and neutral requirements. 

Are the grounds and neutrals required to be landed for a Temporary Power inspection when only certain circuits are to be energized?

NCEC 10.8.2 Provisions for Temporary Power.

  2) The portions of the electrical system that are to be energized shall be complete and physically protected.  If there is a SUB PANEL being fed, ONLY the circuits that are to be energized are required to have the grounding and grounded conductors terminated.

  4) The grounding and the grounded conductors SHALL be terminated in the service equipment.  Notice that this is about the SERVICE equipment and ALL  grounding and grounded conductors SHALL be terminated.     

SMOKE DETECTOR LOCATION. Measured from crown molding or wall?

Do we measure to the crown molding or to the wall for proper location of the smoke detector installed on the ceiling? 

Crown molding will not have an adverse effect on the function of the smoke detector.  The smoke detector location is measured at least 4” to the WALL.

STAPLING OF CONDUCTORS. Spacing on top of trusses.

Stapling of conductors on top of trusses. NEC 334.30. If no hazard is present, no stapling necessary. If a hazard is present, or conductors are in contact with the gusset or other areas where they are subject to damage, rerouting and securing the conductor is required.

SAME DAY SCHEDULING OF BUILDING AND TRADE INSPECTIONS. Departmental Policy.

Inspectors shall review all summary sheets each morning, before beginning inspections, for each project scheduled.  If you have already arrived on the job site, you will need to go ahead and do the inspection. If any trade inspections(rough ins prior to rough framing and finals prior to building final) or flood inspection(flood final prior to building final) have not passed and are scheduled the same day as rough framing or building  final, the building framing or final will be failed or cancelled. The re-scheduling of the framing or building final should not be requested until the appropriate trade and flood inspections have passed. We are currently at next day inspections, and it is department policy to not schedule any building inspections until both flood and all trades have been resulted as passed.

NEC 2020 ARTICLE 440.14. Scope of Equipment.

Q: What equipment falls under the guidelines of NEC article 440.14 and thus the working space requirements of 110.26 versus equipment under article 422.31(C) with working space requirements of 110.25?

A: Article 440.14 scope indicates that this article applies to circuits supplying hermetic refrigerant motor compressors and for any air conditioning or refrigerating equipment that is supplied from a branch circuit that supplies hermetic refrigerant motor compressors. This DOES NOT apply to central air handlers fed from a separate branch circuit. 440.14 applies to the outside equipment. It will need to be addressed at the rough in electrical inspection to verify if the location will comply with 110.26.  Article 422.31(C) should be consulted for disconnect requirements for the central air handling unit. The disconnecting means must be within sight or lockable per 110.25.

PORCH POST ANCHORAGE. NCRC R4508.1

Q: From where must porch posts used for uplift (roof tie down) anchorage originate?

A: Porch posts used for uplift (roof tie down) anchorage must come from footings NOT the foundation. NCRC section 4508.1 clearly reads: Anchorage in the 140 and 150 mph (63 m/s and 67 m/s) wind zones shall be continuous from the roof to the footing.   Porch post anchoring shall be included. 

VERTICAL REINFORCEMENT FROM CORNERS. NCRC 403.1.6

Q: Are contractors required to have vertical reinforcement no more than 24” from corners per chapter 45, or no more than 12” from corners per 403.1.6?

A: Section 403.1.6 requires anchorage within 12 inches of corners. Per section 403.1.6: There shall be a minimum of two bolts per plate section with one bolt located not more than 12 inches (305 mm) from the corner. Section 4504.2.1 requires anchorage within 24 inches of corners. Section 4501.1 states that these provisions shall be in addition to or in lieu of previous chapters.  Deputy Director Hyman has discussed this with Pak Yip, PE, Chief Building Code Consultant at OSFM, and he supports the enforcement of no more than 12 inches from corners. (A formal interpretation will be requested).

GAS PIPING DIAGRAM. Requirements.

1. When a gas piping diagram is provided as required for more than one appliance, the inspector is to verify the installation is per the diagram. 2. The gas piping diagram is required to be uploaded with the project number, address, printed name, and signature of the designer. 3. If the diagram has not been uploaded, when reviewing the project prior to starting your schedule, it is a failed inspection. 

GALVANIZED GAS PIPING. Is field-threaded portion required to be painted? 

Q: Mech-gas. When doing a mech-gas final, is it required that the field-threaded portions of galvanized pipe be painted?

A: Painting the threads is not referenced in the technical code. Above ground galvanized piping is considered adequately protected from corrosion. When black, non-galvanized piping is being used, field-threaded portions shall be painted.

RELOCATION OF A HOUSE. Floor system plan requirements.

With the issuance of a permit for the relocation of a house, in addition to the footing/foundation plan, the floor system of the house (joist size, spacing and span along the girders, and location of girders) being relocated is to be submitted, uploaded, and on site. This will be needed to confirm the location of footings and piers.

LEAK TEST REPORT. Required information.

The leak test report that is provided when the tank installer is making the connection from the tank to the house must include the following information: a). be on company letterhead  b). property address  c). results of test  d). printed name of installer  e). signature of installer.

A copy of report shall be on site and uploaded to project. 

LUMINAIRE PROTECTION. Use of lamp guards.
 M1305.1.4.3 Electrical Requirements

A luminaire controlled by a switch located at the required passageway opening and a receptacle outlet shall be installed at or near the appliance location in accordance with the North Carolina Electrical Code. Exposed lamps shall be protected from damage by location or lamp guards.

Per Code Administration departmental policy, protection from damage by location will be interpreted as no portion of the lamp being below a vertical height of 84”. Any portion of a lamp below a vertical height of 84” will require a lamp guard or that the lamp be a flat, “pancake style”.     

T-POLES WITH OVERHEAD LINES.

Code Administration departmental policy for temporary power poles with overhead lines require a 4 by 4 post minimum with two braces, one in the direction of the incoming overhead service.

ROOF SHEATHING ATTACHMENT R4506.8. Blocking.

The roof sheathing panel edges shall be blocked and nailed at the end two rafter or truss spaces. See Figure R4506.8.

Exception: The panel edges need not be blocked where 2 x 4 diagonal braces are framed from the top of the endwall to the lateral bracing at the ceiling.

FIGURE R4506.8
 ROOF SHEATHING ATTACHMENT PLAN

R4506.8 is prescriptive and cannot be required with an engineered design.

For prescriptive, stick-built homes: if bracing isn’t from the top end down, sheathing must be blocked/braced.

If braced per manufacturer truss design, blocking is not required.  

RETAINING WALLS. Guidelines. 

RESIDENTIAL
 R404.4 Retaining Walls

Retaining walls that meet the following shall be designed by a registered design professional.

1. Any retaining walls on a residential site that cross over adjacent property lines regardless of vertical height, or
2. Retaining walls that support buildings and their accessory structures, undercutting footings 10 feet or less per R403.1.9 and Figure 403.1.9, or
3. Individual retaining walls supporting unbalanced backfill exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm) in height within a horizontal distance of 15 feet (4572 mm) or less, or
4. Multiple retaining walls providing a cumulative vertical relief of unbalanced backfill heights greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) within a horizontal distance of 15 feet (4572 mm) or less.

Retaining walls shall be designed for a safety factor of 1.5 against lateral sliding and overturning.

The delayed effective date of this Rule is January 1, 2025.
 

COMMERCIAL
 1807.2.4 Retaining Systems Adjacent to Structures

1. Retaining systems less than 5 feet (1524 mm) in cumulative vertical relief and adjacent to a structure located closer than the vertical relief shall be designed under the responsible charge of a registered design professional.

 1807.2.5 Retaining Systems

Retaining systems providing a cumulative vertical relief greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) in height within a horizontal separation distance of 50 feet (15 m) or less, including retaining walls or mechanically stabilized earth walls, shall be designed under the responsible charge of a registered design professional. Retaining systems shall meet the requirements of Section 1610. Testing and inspection reports shall comply with Section 1704.2.4 and shall verify:

1. Foundation support system is adequate for the intended site conditions;
2. Measurement of the quality of construction materials for conformance with specifications;
3. Determination of similarity of actual soil conditions to those anticipated in design; and
4. Examination of backfill materials and any drainage systems for compliance with plans and specifications.

GAS FINAL INSPECTION. Requirements.

For Gas Final and Tank Final Inspection, if an LP tank has been filled and is providing gas to appliances, a leak report must be provided on-site and uploaded. The leak test must be on gas company letter head with address, signature and printed name of the tester and documented that it passed. The test gauge on the outside of the dwelling can remain in place at the final gas inspection but any gauges inside the dwelling are to be removed and an approved termination cap installed.

VENTED MICROWAVES. Mechanical Final Requirements.

Microwaves with hoods/venting must be installed with all duct connections complete for Mechanical Final Inspection.

COOKTOPS. Gas Final Requirements.

Cooktops are not required at gas final.  Check to the valve, if installed. If not installed, verify stub out has been properly capped.

APPLIANCES AT BUILDING FINAL. If On Site at Final.

Appliances can be on site and not installed.   Appliances such as dishwashers, cooktops, ovens, microwaves, ranges, and refrigerators are not required to be installed at final. It should be noted in the inspection results that the appliance is not installed.

WATER SERVICE TRENCH INSPECTION. Line Connection Requirement.

The water service line does not need to be connected at both ends at trench inspection but is required at plumbing final.  Verify the length is adequate to reach the meter.

BLOCKING FOR KNEEWALLS. R402.2.15 Attic knee walls.

Enclosure of wall cavity insulation also applies to walls that adjoin attic spaces by placing a rigid material or air barrier material on the attic space side of the wall on the attic space side of the wall consistent with the Appendix R1.2.3 of this code. Joints shall be air sealed. Non-insulating Class I vapor retarders, such as polyethylene, shall not be allowed.

R402.2.15 Attic knee walls. 

UNDERSLAB CONDENSATION LINES. Slope Requirements.

The slope requirements for condensate disposal with lines run underslab shall follow the requirements outlined in M1411.3:

 M1411.3 (307.2) Condensate Disposal

Condensate from cooling coils, condensing furnaces and evaporators shall be conveyed from the drain pan outlet to an approved place of disposal. Such piping shall maintain a minimum horizontal slope in the direction of discharge of not less than ¹/₈ unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (1-percent slope). Where pumps are used, they shall be installed with a factory-equipped auxiliary high-level switch that shall shut off equipment served upon activation of the auxiliary high-level switch. Where damage to any building components will occur as a result of overflow from the pump, the pump shall also be located in the auxiliary drain pan or in a separate drain pan equipped with a separate drain line or water-level detection device. Condensate shall not discharge into a street, alley or other areas where it would cause a nuisance.

CLEANOUT PLUGS AND TRIM COVERS. Trim Cover Requirements.

Any cleanout plug located where a trim cover is appropriate, shall be required to be manufactured with a blind end threaded hole, and the fastener to secure the trim cover shall be corrosion resistant.
P3005.2.6 (708.1.6) Cleanout Plugs:

Where a cleanout plug will have a trim cover screw installed into the plug, the plug shall be manufactured with a blind end threaded hole for such purpose.
 P3005.2.10.1 (708.1.10.1) Cleanout Plug Trim Covers:

Trim cover fasteners that thread into cleanout plugs shall be corrosion resistant. Cleanout plugs shall not be covered with mortar, plaster or any other permanent material.

UNDERSLAB CONDUIT INSPECTION. Needed before slab inspection?

Q: Is it necessary for an underslab conduit inspection to have passed prior to conducting a monolithic/slab inspection?

A: Yes. The underslab conduit inspection needs to have passed prior to conducting a monolithic/slab inspection.

VANITY ROOM EXHAUST. Required or not?

No. Per Informal Code Interpretation published March 21, 2019:

Code: 2018 Residential                                                                 Date: March 21, 2019  

Code Section: R303.3

 Question: Is an exhaust fan meeting the requirements of Section R303.3 required for a room that contains only vanities or lavatories and no shower, tub, watercloset, or other odor or high humidity producing plumbing fixtures? 

Answer: No.  Other ventilation requirements of Section R303 will apply, but the room is not considered a bathroom and is not required to be ventilated as a bathroom. 

SINK QUANTITY. Minimum for plumbing final.

Per NC Plumbing Code, Table 403.1: In addition to a required minimum of 1 lavatory per dwelling unit, additionally there shall be 1 kitchen sink per dwelling unit; 1 automatic clothes washer connection per dwelling unit.

P TRAPS. When to insulate in garage ceiling.

If insulation is installed tight to the floor sheathing and the trap is exposed, it must be insulated. This should be noted at plumbing rough-in inspection. If insulation is installed on the ceiling below floor and side walls are insulated, it would not be required to be insulated. This can be noted at insulation inspection.

WATER LINES. When to insulate in attics and garage ceilings.

Water lines in an attic should always be insulated unless covered with BATT type insulation. Blown insulation can be displaced and not provide proper coverage. Water lines secured in place against the ceiling do not need to be insulated if they have proper insulation coverage.

MULTIPLE LOAD BEARING STUDS. Are metal straps required on multi-stud columns?

Per the January 15, 2020, OSFM code interpretation:

Code Reference: 

Table R602.3(1) shows a connection detail “Double Studs” which should be used when nailing two or more studs together. Section “R601.2 Requirements” in the 2018 NCRC states, “Wall construction shall be capable of accommodating all loads imposed in accordance with Section R301 and of transmitting the resulting loads to the supporting structural elements.” 

Answer: 

No. When there are three or more studs that are within close contact so the nailing of the studs is not visible, the studs will be determined to be code compliant and installed per the “Double Studs” detail in Table R602.3(1). 

Studs that have visible gaps in between them with no nails visible calls into question the structural integrity of the stud assembly. An inspector should require the studs be made code compliant by through an engineering evaluation and alternative method or by complying with the details in Table 602.3(1) for double studs. Metal straps may be an alternative method designed by a design professional.

TEMPORARY POWER. Are all devices required to be installed in a circuit if listed on the temporary power form?

Yes, all devices (receptacles etc.) must be installed on the circuit to be energized.   

HVAC CONDENSATION DRAIN LINES. When to insulate.

Do HVAC condensation drain lines need to be insulated when installed in a semi-conditioned space?

With semi-conditioned space being defined in the NCRC as “a space within the building thermal envelope that is not directly heated or cooled”, the answer is no. Insulation shall be required only if installed in a nonconditioned space or attic where damage to the structure is possible from pipe sweating. 

DRILLING AND NOTCHING OF TOP PLATE. R602.6.1 Drilling and notching of top plate.

When piping or ductwork is placed in or partly in an exterior wall or interior load-bearing wall, necessitating cutting, drilling or notching of the top plate by more than 50 percent of its width, a galvanized metal tie not less than 0.054 inch thick (1.37 mm) (16 ga) and 1¹/₂ inches (38 mm) wide shall be fastened across and to the plate at each side of the opening with not less than eight 10d (0.148 inch diameter) nails having a minimum length of 1¹/₂ inches (38 mm) at each side or equivalent. The metal tie must extend a minimum of 6 inches past the opening. 

Exception: When the entire side of the wall with the notch or cut is covered by wood structural panel sheathing.

DWV TESTING. Two story inspection protocol.

Is a 3-foot standpipe on the second floor required?   No.  The test can be conducted with the vent being filled to overflow at roof penetration and the inspection done by tapping the vent pipe at the second floor to determine if filled.

FIREBLOCKING. Horizontally with electrical wiring.

R302.11 Fireblocking

In combustible construction, fireblocking shall be provided to cut off both vertical and horizontal concealed draft openings and to form an effective fire barrier between stories, and between a top story and the roof space.

Fireblocking shall be provided in wood-framed construction in the following locations:

1. In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, as follows:

            1.1. Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.

            1.2. Horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3048 mm) in furred spaces and parallel rows of studs or staggered studs.

DRAINAGE CHANGE IN DIRECTION. Quarter bend fitting restriction.

NCRC Table P3005.1, footnote “e”, for a horizontal-to-horizontal change in direction, referencing a quarter bend fitting:  e. This fitting shall only be permitted to be used as the first fitting directly behind the fixture for drains 2 inches and smaller, except clothes washers.

Therefore, a quarter bend fitting may not be used at a horizontal-to-horizontal change in direction on a laundry drain line.

HOUSE BILL 488. The R-Value reduction per the statute.

AMEND INSULATION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNVENTED ATTIC AND ENCLOSED RAFTER ASSEMBLIES 

SECTION 6.(a) Definitions. – As used in this section, "Code" means the current North Carolina State Building Code collection, and amendments to the Code, as adopted by the Council. For purposes of this section and its implementation, "R402 Rules" means provisions and tables within Section 402, Building Thermal Envelope, North Carolina – Residential Provisions, of the North Carolina Energy Conversation Code. As used in this section, "Council" means the Building Code Council. On or after January 1, 2025, "Council" means the Residential Code Council as created in Section 1 of this act.

SECTION 6.(b) 

R402 Rules Amendment. – The Council shall amend R402 Rules to include, as an optional alternative to residential ceiling insulation minimums, minimum insulation requirements for the use of air-impermeable insulation in unvented attic and unvented enclosed rafter assemblies. In developing this amendment, the Council shall include in that optional alternative that where R402 Rules require R-38 insulation in the ceiling, installing air-impermeable insulation, as follows, to the underside or directly above the roof deck shall be deemed to satisfy the R-38 requirements: (i) R-20 (equivalent U-factor 0.05) for climate zone 3; (ii) R-25 (equivalent U-factor 0.037) for climate zone 4; and (iii) R-25 (equivalent U-factor

0.037) for climate zone 5. These air-impermeable insulation alternative R-value minimums apply in residences meeting the following criteria:

(1) The unvented attic or unvented enclosed rafter assemblies are constructed under Section R806.5 of the North Carolina Residential Code.

(2) The residence contains a mechanical ventilation system that operates on a positive, balanced, or hybrid pressure strategy.

(3) For residences with air-impermeable insulation installed below the roof deck, exposed portions of the roof rafters are wrapped by a minimum of R-3

insulation unless directly covered by drywall or finished ceiling material. For

residences with air-impermeable insulation installed above the roof deck, roof rafters do not require insulation wrapping if air-impermeable insulation

installed above the roof deck is continuous.

(4) The residence obtains an ACH50 blower door test result of less than 3.0.

(5) The residence contains heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment and

ductwork within thermal envelope.

To take the reduction, all five criteria must be met.

SPRAY FOAM FIRE RESISTANT COATING. When to inspect for it.

Spray foam applied to areas that require an intumescent coating must be visible at the insulation (initial rough in) inspection.  (Knee walls, storage areas, and similar spaces may not be visible and or accessible after sheetrock is installed).

Where the intumescent coating is to be applied will be determined by the product evaluation report from an approved testing agency.  This document is required for the insulation (initial rough in) inspection.