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In our town, part of the permit process for building an accessory structure beyond a certain size is proof that the roof design can handle a certain load when it snows. I would like to stick build the (hip) roof and the rest of the structure.
How do you come up with such a proof without forking out the bucks to an engineer ?
I can’t imagine every garage and large storage shed built would require an engineer’s stamp of approval.
There must be some sort of chart or formula that helps figure out the capability of a roof to handle a certain amount of load ?
(By the way, I am not against using the services of engineers on structural matters.)
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Here in L.A. you can't even put a new door anywhere without an engineer's wet stamp. I gave up and paid, removed the new spiral stairs from the plans to get the money for the engineer. Their requirement looks to me like a violation of the CA business and professions code, but the engineer is probably cheaper than a lawyer. Maybe someday as a class action suit, but for now I just want to get my house done.
-- J.S.
*Alan, Do as I did, read the UBC and quote the building inspector chapter and verse. Then I made damn sure that he would never be exposed because it was so overbuilt as to be silly. The simple truth is that unless you know what you're doing there are lots of ways to screw up roofs. Most building inspectors don't want the resposiblity and most don't have the knowledge to engineer approval themselves. If you give them a break and do the work for them they may cut you some slack. besides, if you buy roof trusses they are already engineered and that may get you the permit.
*Alan,Yes there are charts that give span limits for different sizes of lumber. These charts are in booksthat you can find in any decent library. These are books on Carpentry.A simple garage should be a piece of cake to calculate.If you don't have access to a library, visit Amazon.com and buy one. If you still can't satisfy the inspectors questions you are going to have to pay someone to do it for you.dj
*John: I'm unclear how it would be in violation of California's business and professions code. Possibly an overeager enforcement of same, but a violation? Which part are you thinking about?In Alaska, if a city or state official has to review a registered engineer's work, he/she has to be a PE as well. Seems fair enough. And that may well be the case, if not the practice, in CA as well. If the task requires a PE to do the work, then the task requires a PE to review it. Unless any wet stamp is accepted as writ. How many city inspector are PEs?
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In our town, part of the permit process for building an accessory structure beyond a certain size is proof that the roof design can handle a certain load when it snows. I would like to stick build the (hip) roof and the rest of the structure.
How do you come up with such a proof without forking out the bucks to an engineer ?
I can't imagine every garage and large storage shed built would require an engineer's stamp of approval.
There must be some sort of chart or formula that helps figure out the capability of a roof to handle a certain amount of load ?
(By the way, I am not against using the services of engineers on structural matters.)