MA Code, And Vented Soffit

Patrick

Can any one cite an IBC or Massachusetts CMR that would PROHIBIT the use of vented soffit pannels to cover where the second floor of a house over hangs the first story by 15 inches. It was completely sheathed with OSB prior. Getting abused by the inspector on a ton of things, SHE refused to do the frame until the siding was up, and now that the siding is up, she wants the soffits and porch ceilings removed so she can inspect the framing details. I offered her a step ladder inside so she could look over the wall but she refused. She wanted my guys to rip down 60' of soffit!!!!! I said talk to the builder cause we aint doin it for free.

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

neolitic

I I'm reading this right, that's floor space.
If so, it should be sealed, not vented.
It's conditioned space, should be insulated,
and often contains plumbing and/or HVAC.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Patrick

your reading it right, however the space was sealed with solid OSB, and wrapped in tyvek. however instead of installing solid soffit my guys put up perforated soffit. Cant see how thats gonna cause any more harm than a solid panel when you consider air can just travel around the L bend and J channel. I agree its not the BEST situation, but I cant see anything that Prohibits it.

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

neolitic

Practically speaking, you're right.
One ain't gonna be any more airtight
than the other.

Hey, I never claimed to understand women,
let alone a woman who is also
a building inspector!

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Patrick

Haha Am I within my right to demand she cite the code section that prohibits this?

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

neolitic

My experience with inspectors....
being "right" doesn't always feel
good later on.
Just have to get a feel for each one,
and gauge the chances for retaliation.
Good luck with that.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

kevjob

When I have a problem with the inspector and he or she wont give code etc.. I usually look up the code and speak with the building department head guy to see what I can do to appease the inspector they are always accomodating if you have a good attitude, I have seen several old timers tell the inspector Oh yeah well F u! and well needless to say that job took forever to get inspections

__________________
Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

Patrick

Haha, Thank god im a sub on this job. Which is VERY VERY rare for us to be a sub. So i told her to talk to the builder because someones gonna have to pay me to do the things she wants. Cause it ain't my problem, and as Celtic says I ain't the solution.

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

oldfrt

This is what I'd probably do if a woman ,(that never lifted a tool in her life,who now has the authority to make your life miserable because she thinks she knows what she's talking about),tries to make you tear down more than is needed to see what she needs to see because, she's just being a B***ch.
So I say F*** her,or any inspector that has no consideration for the time it took you to do something,just because they think they can!

In most situations I'm congenial to the inspectors,but this is just overkill on her part.

I'd like to see how the GC handles it.

__________________
https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-...94183374011504

d-rez

Not saying this will work for you- but I have gone down to the dept. offices and raised bloody hell with the head inspector. Also, on the advise of my legal counsel concerning one crotchity inspector, I started keeping a log detailing what was going on. I have had to do this with some subs as well... Note what she said, take pics, xerox the code, detail how much time/money this is costing you. If you can show they are hiring fools, and have a papertrail, it is pretty hard to pass you off as just another pissed off hack that got busted. Has worked for me, and have even got fines reversed(first inspetion is free, then there is a fine every fail afterward).

BreyerConstruct

We just a few months ago went thru the wringer on a deck repair that the inspector tried to demand new whole-house hard wired smoke detectors...

Get in touch with your state's HBA. They have guys that thrive on fighting for your/our rights... we had a guy from PA Build working with us, who wrote the exception to the code that allowed us to remodel the exterior of the house (inc. the deck), without adjusting the interior wiring.

Can't guarantee anything, but it's worth a shot!

~Matt

__________________
Custom Deck Builder Deck Designer Lancaster Deck Builder Berks Deck Cleaning
Breyer Construction & Landscape, LLC Facebook Page
www.BreyerConstruction.com

Patrick

All the HBA cares about is getting my $365 dollars every year. Its terrible to go to a meeting and run into all the dudes from the GIANT window and siding chains that work like finance companies rather than contractors and then sub out to hacks, they have no code of ethics at all that they follow

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

BreyerConstruct

Skip the local meetings then, and talk to the state.
I'm a member of all three. I like the representation of the state, the recognition of the NAHB, and some of the contacts of the local. We're a smaller, younger company, so I know what you mean about the "big" guys.

~Matt

__________________
Custom Deck Builder Deck Designer Lancaster Deck Builder Berks Deck Cleaning
Breyer Construction & Landscape, LLC Facebook Page
www.BreyerConstruction.com

Patrick

Its not the big guys per say. We compete and win jobs over the big guys all the time. Its the sleeze ball companies that get window jobs by paying off homeowners credit cards and car payements, and take a second mortgage out and let the customer pay one payment for everything for the next 30 years, thats not a contractor, thats finance company imo. NARI is the same way, no standards

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

BreyerConstruct

Huh.
That's a different racket.
We don't have that in my area, that I'm aware of. In theory, it's a good thing (lower interest, more tax savings) but I can see where a greedy company could easily ruin everything.

You hinted at an interesting point- there is no true "industry policing" for lack of a better term.
I don't know about up with you, but we don't have licensing here yet, so there's not much to loose for a contractor... I don't think I'd mind more standards and the like, just to weed out the low quality and low ethics.

Back to the topic: Don't sweat it, be polite, and try to get this gal to smile. Keep your other stuff rolling, and deal with this as it comes.
~Matt

__________________
Custom Deck Builder Deck Designer Lancaster Deck Builder Berks Deck Cleaning
Breyer Construction & Landscape, LLC Facebook Page
www.BreyerConstruction.com