I just got my permit and plans back from the District. And the plan checker drew an extra pad that was not noted by the engineer. There is a point load directly above ( a wall girder) but what it appears that the plan checker failed to notice is that it is picked up by a beam. so the bearing now has 2 point loads – at either beam end. but not in the middle where he drew the pad.
So what’s the best thing, call him and ask him about it or talk to my engineer first?
EDIT: to clarify….the engineer did not have any extra pads at beam ends (exterior wall footings only) he did have 3′-6″ pad at opposite end of wall girder.
Edited 7/8/2005 2:54 am ET by nails2
Replies
Down here in the bottom LH corner of BC an engineer over-rides the local authority. I think you're going to have to talk to both of them - ensure the Eng hasn't omitted anything (they're not perfect. Any bunch that thinks an annual Lady Godiva ride and of stringing a VW Beetle off Lion's Gate Bridge, has to be somewhat out to lunch). Then, if he/she is right, call the p-c on it.
cheers
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
lol....haven't heard much from that UBC bunch in awhile.
Yeah I figured...just wasn't sure who to call 1st.
'mr. plan checker, you are an idiot - can't you see that there is a big window on the floor right above the pad that you drew in?'
thought better of it.
I'll call the engineer 1st
PS..what island you on...Salt spring?
Yep... Can't quite see the Lions Gate bridge from the top of this mountain, but with a pair of damn good binoculars can make out Lady Godiva (she's the one on the horse, if you're wondering)
Seriously -yell the p-c to blow it out her ear. An engineer's stamp means you could build a 10 storey, 2000 sf outhouse and they can't do boo at city hall.cheers
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
You guys in Canada have a different system. Down here (at least in NY and NJ) the Engineer's stamp don't mean much if the person at the building dept. doesn't approve it. I'm not sure which system is better, but I think I would let them talk to each other and work it out.
I disagree.
I deal with a couple of town building depts. here in Westchester co. NY , that look for the architects or engineers stamp, then automatically aprove it. I have built from some pretty nonsencical plans before.
One building dept tells me that they are very busy & if you want an inspection quickly have your Architect do it an sign off on it.
Around here it is the zoning /wetlands people who hold up the permit process.
Salt Spring Island... I can see that from over here.
Once in a wipse-while I stand atop Bayne's Peak and look SSE to where I guess you are. If I drag out the binocs for watching Lady Godiva, perhaps I could see the sun glistening on your hammer. (I know - what sun? Lousy weather, eh)cheers
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
From your end I suppose the U.S. looks like one big land mass, but there are 150+ islands over here, before you get to 'America' as we call it. We have friends with boats and a favorite jaunt is over to your island.
Now, back to that pad. If the plan checker did not understand the design, I would point it out to him or her rather than paying the engineer to talk to them. If it's really ridiculous I think I'd go ahead and build per plans and point it out to the inspector when they come out.
"If it's really ridiculous I think I'd go ahead and build per plans and point it out to the inspector when they come out."
actually...the enineer suggested that I could do that. I'll ask the planner about it and see what he says.
nails,
The plans have to go back to the engineer. If you build it to the PC's notes, the Eng can disclaim all liability. If you build it to the original plans , the PC can deny your CO.
IAW, you are between rocks.
SamT
yeah very annoying place to be - between two rocks.
My 1st thought was I'll just put 2 pads at either beam end at the wall footing. When he asks about it I'll say look whats above it. But that thought lasted about 5 seconds, figured I'd better straighten this out before hand.
> yeah very annoying place to be - between two rocks.
So get out from between and hit the two rocks together. Have the engineer talk directly to the plan checker. On my house, my engineer pulled the permit for me. Apparantly that's done a lot here.
-- J.S.
Maybe he wants the engineer to certify that the beam can handle the specific point load midspan. Talk to the engineer first to be sure you are right. You always want to be right before arguing with authority
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