Replies

1. 
   JohnSprung | Jan 22, 2004 04:22am | #1

   http://www.codecheck.com is one place to look.

   -- J.S.

2. 
   joeh | Jan 22, 2004 07:06am | #2

   Buy the book(s).

   Make notes, put stickies where you need them, have it with you instead of gotta go home and look online.

   Worth the money. If you need it, you need it.

   Joe H

   http://www.iccsafe.org/e/category.html

3. 
   MikeR | Jan 23, 2004 03:27pm | #3

   RH,

   What state are you in and what code is used?  In Florida's ours is online.  No printing allowed as they want you to buy the code book, but you can look things up.

   Mike

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Jan 25, 2004 07:46pm | #10

   "No printing allowed as they want you to buy the code book"

   Mike,

   How do they stop you?

   Jon

1. 
   MikeR | Jan 26, 2004 03:01pm | #14

   Jon,

   The pages are .pdf files with limited access capabilities.  Some of the pages allowing you to copy and then paste it into a Word doc to print but most do not even allow the "copy" nor "print" option.

   I suppose a real computer guru could hack into the .pdf files and make them printable but if you're that good, you're probably making enough $$$ to fork out the $145. for the book!  ;)

   Mike

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Jan 27, 2004 12:15am | #15

   Mike,

   There is a shareware, ie. free, program called "Snag It" which allows you to print , resize, and convert to text any portion of a graphic image on your computer screen to text or a different format for that matter. I'm sure there are probably others too. Not really all that hard to do. Here is the link.

   http://www.techsmith.com/

   Jon

   Edited 1/26/2004 4:18:21 PM ET by WorkshopJon

1. 
   rasconc | Jan 27, 2004 12:38am | #16

   Went there and the cost is $39.95 for single user.  Did you just get the free trial?

2. 
   WorkshopJon | Jan 27, 2004 04:00am | #17

   Rasconc,

   I got my copy about three years ago. Back then it was free. Still works on XP quite well.

   Jon

4. 
   JohnSr | Jan 23, 2004 03:54pm | #4

   You can also buy the e-code book and download to your laptop.  It is the complete IRC One and Two Family Dwelling code.  I think it was $48.00 for members and $60.00 for non-members.

   http://www.iccsafe.org

5. 
   dIrishInMe | Jan 23, 2004 03:58pm | #5

   You have to purchase the code book for your state.  Even if you find a copy (online or otherwise) of the same model building code that your state uses, I believe that each state makes it's own modifications.  For example, here in NC we use a flavor of the IRC (International Residential code) and I know for a fact that VA uses a different flavor of the IRC.  I know you make a profession of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, but you still need the proper tools to do your job - even if it requires an expenditure of $80 for $40 worth of book.  Some states do have some on-line summaries, but I've seen none that were comprehensive.

   Personally, I've found those general "code check" type books to be of little use.  Asking questions here is somewhat marginal unless you can get a good someone from your state to answer the question,  and most people asking the questions don't even say what state they live in - not to mention providences, etc.
    

   Matt
1. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 23, 2004 05:40pm | #6

   It depends on exactly how they handle the code.

   I was looking at the codes of some neighboring cities and they had both adopted one of the standard codes.

   But there was only about 1-2 pages of excepts/adjustments to the code. They won't print up a whole book with just those changes. Buy the appropriate book and then get the handout pgages from the city.

   But to answer the orginal person question generally codes have not been available online because of copyright restrictions.

   However, this went to the Supreme Court last year and they ruled that they could be posted.

   So some day the major codes might show up, but not now.

1. 
   MikeR | Jan 23, 2004 05:46pm | #7

   Bill,

   Yeah, I think its all in the interest of $$$ too so you have to buy the book.  Thats why I'm kind of surprised Florida has theirs up.

   I don't think the NEC ever will be up however as the NFPA is protective about their publications.

   Mike

2. 
   dIrishInMe | Jan 25, 2004 06:28pm | #9

   It's interesting that you at least insinuate that different municipalities within your state may use different model codes.  In my state, (NC) every one uses the same model code (IRC 2000) with some changes made by the state, however different municipalities (code enforcement entities) can add on extra requirements, which many do, but most additions are minor.  Matt

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 25, 2004 07:48pm | #11

   Well in MO there is no state code. At one time I think that I read that 70% of the counties did not have any code requirement.

   The bigger counties and cities have adopted codes. I think that in general they are UBC and now IRC. But where I live it is the 1991 UBC. The "big city" (about 50k) next to us has adopted the a realative new (2001, 2002?) IRC. Right now the fire district does or inspection, but one of the other cities inspectors is wanting to do it, part time. And thus we might be inspected the IRC even if that is not out offical code.

1. 
   dIrishInMe | Jan 26, 2004 12:23am | #12

   Doesn't surprise me.  And I'm not meaning to insult anyone here, but I know that for a while the whole code/inspection thing was up in the air in PA.   I don't know what the outcome was, but my sister and bro-in-law had a house built there about 5 years ago.  When I asked my bro-in-law about inspections and such he said "look, we have a good builder and he knows what to do...".  I let it go at that, but had to wonder if this builder had ever built under the scrutiny of inspectors, and if not, (just a guess) how much can he really know.  For myself, learning building codes, and the reasoning behind them has been an enlighten  experience.  A year or so ago, I went into their basement just to look around and saw a flush beam with 2x10 floor joists nailed to the side of it - no hangers or ledger strip... It was a headered off section where the stairway was.  I said nothing...  I'm sure it will be OK as it was well nailed, but that technique won't ever happen on any of my jobs... And who knows what else there was... 

   Matt

   Edited 1/25/2004 4:27:04 PM ET by DIRISHINME

2. 
   DaveRicheson | Jan 26, 2004 12:52am | #13

   Amen, Matt.

   I keep my code book in the truck all the time, even though i am only a part time remodeler/repair guy now.

   Dave

6. 
   fishheadal | Jan 25, 2004 03:12am | #8

   go to http://www.broderbund.com the produce the 3d home arch. programs.

   Go into software updates the 1 & 2 family irc code is there to download

   for free. Takes about 6mb.

7. 
   archyII | Jan 27, 2004 04:13am | #18

   It all depends on where you live.  In Illinois there is no state code.  Each jurisdiction can adopt what ever code they want.  Many used BOCA and now the International building code.  Some use the City of Chicago's code or parts of it.  Some use very outdated codes.  About ten years ago I did a project in Glenview and they used a 1964 code (forgot which one) with local amendments.