Replies

1. 
   Warren | May 10, 2004 04:21am | #1

   Standard practices are frequently acheived by consensus within the various trades and then published by those trade organizations; for instance the American Institute or Steel Construction for structural steel tolerances, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute for placement of steel reinforcing bar, the ACI ( American Concrete Institute) for concrete placement and forming pratices, The Truss Plate Institute for recommendations for handling and installing braces on trusses, and Manufacture 's recomendations for use of their products such as published by US Gypsum.

   ASTM "Standards" are available for tolerances for almost any building product.

   I'm dubious of the term as refered to by your friend.  I would ask to see this reference in "writting".

2. 
   SamT | May 10, 2004 04:24am | #2

   http://www.electrical-contractor.net/The_Store/RS/Resi_LtComm_Stds.htm

   Arguing with a Breaktimer is like mud-wrestling a pig -- Sooner or later you find out the pig loves it. Andy Engel

3. 
   Dreamcatcher | May 10, 2004 04:26am | #3

   " built to standard buildg practices" or exceeding  standard builgn practices

   When I hear that I figure it means that the home was built to the minimum allowable code and one step above the minimum code.

   True, building like that keeps you legal.....but it won't get you much further than that.

   A REAL CARPENTER builds to his own standards. Experience will teach you to build to satisfy the homeowner not the code official. And even though you may loose some jobs because "Joe hammer" bid for 2x10's and you bid for 2x12's.....in the end, you will be building houses while "joe hammer" is wondering why he can't find work.

   gk

1. 
   Sphere | May 11, 2004 12:30am | #10

   I have book called the hand book of construction tolerances..never used it for anything, ya want I shold mail it to ya?  Email me yer address and it's yours..

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   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

1. 
   caseyr | May 11, 2004 02:55am | #12

   Perhaps only slightly related, but there is something called the "prescriptive method" for constructing light gauge steel framed houses.  I think the idea is that if the prescriptive method is accepted as code in a given area, then any construction practices that follow the prescriptive methods do not have to be signed off by an licensed engineer whereas other types of construction do require the stamp. 

   http://www.toolbase.org/docs/MainNav/SteelFraming/2882_PrescriptiveMethod2000Edition.pdf

   There is also a book out (that I have not read or even looked at) on a prescriptive method for Insulated Concrete Forms:

   http://www.cement.org/bookstore/profile.asp?store=&id=187

   Edited 5/10/2004 7:57 pm ET by CaseyR

4. 
   darcey | May 10, 2004 04:33am | #4

   Try the NAHB website.

   http://www.nahb.org/

1. 
   PaulBinCT | May 10, 2004 03:42pm | #5

   JLC publishes a great book that covers a lot of those issues "JLC Field Guide, A Manual of Best Practice".  Not cheap but very comprehensive...

   Paul

1. 
   darcey | May 10, 2004 05:27pm | #6

   Great idea, Paul.

1. 
   darcey | May 10, 2004 05:30pm | #7

   Here is the book PaulB suggested:

   http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlconline.filereader?409f8faa001d685b27187f00000105d0+EN/products/FG001

2. 
   PaulBinCT | May 10, 2004 05:30pm | #8

   :O Does that mean I actually contributed something??? I'm so proud, I'm going to print this out and frame it... ;) And ummm... thank you Darcy!

5. 
   rjw | May 10, 2004 05:54pm | #9

   In adddition tho the other good info and sources of info here, as a home inspector my views is that "standard building practices" are

   (i) in compliance with applicable codes (although as a private HI I do not do "code inspections" - only the AHJ can do that) (if I was in a non-code jusrisdiction, I wou;ld use the applicable "model code" such as the NEC), and;

   (ii) does the component "operate as intended" (If that out of square window doesn't latch or open or close smoothly, it isn't acceptable), and;

   (iii) was it installed in accordance with the manufacture's instructions and requirements, and;

   (iv) how does the workmanship compare to other homes of the same quality and relative price range.

   The last of course is entirely subjective.

   Say I'm in a cookie cutter modestly priced "starter home" and there's a poorly done drywall tape job in a closet. No big deal.

   If I'm in a multi-million dollar house - then it's still not a big deal but doesn't meet "standard practice" in my opinion

   OTOH, if I rake the drywall with my flashlight and it isn't _perfectly_ smooth (AND there is no raking spotlighting on that wall,)

   What the heck. If it looks crummy from across the room in normal light .....

   The NAHB practices book is pretty loose and gives too much leeway for slop in my opinion. That too, is subjective, of course.

1. 
   jimz | May 11, 2004 03:07am | #13

   Acronym AJH ???    and I believe NEC translates to .... National Electrical Code? Rookie

1. 
   4Lorn2 | May 11, 2004 03:58am | #14

   AHJ, Authority Having Jurisdiction.

2. 
   rjw | May 11, 2004 05:11am | #15

   Yeah, sorry - Authority Having Jusrisdiction - in other words the local (or county) building inspector. He can enforce code, and his interpretation of the code applicable in an area is usua;lly the final say so.

   I can can say "this xyz doesn't meet code" but I can't do anything about it other than inform my client.

   (OTOH I have turned off a few furnaces and electrical systems which I had reason to belief were an immediate health or safety hazard, but that was under authority of "common sense" and what my liability carrier has recommended.

   _______________________

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6. 
   kostello | May 11, 2004 12:57am | #11

   the problem lies in the disparity between what is written as standard practice and what is standard practice!!!!

   LOL!!!