Mecklenburg County
Common Code Defects
Residential Building
Code Defects
 Piping is intersecting/penetrating footing without maintaining proper footing
thickness. Piping cannot run parallel in, or penetrate footings compromising the
bearing capacity of the footings.
Code Description
Section R403.1 General. All exterior walls shall be supported on continuous
or fully grouted masonry or concrete footings… which shall be sufficient
design to accommodate all loads according to section R301 and
transmitting the resulting load to the soil.
Section R403.1.1 Minimum size. Minimum sizes for concrete and masonry
footing shall be set forth in table R403.1 and figure R401.1(1). Spread
footings shall be at least 6 inches in thickness.
Possible Options:
1. Footings should be over-cut and thickened to accommodate pipes and pipe
sleeves provided to pass through footings.
2. Provide an alternate design by a registered design professional confirming
structural integrity of footings.
3. Place pipes below footings at least 12 inches from bottom of footing and top of
pipe.
4. Route pipes above footings.
Disclaimer: There may be other ways to comply with the Code. If so, you are not
required to use this method to comply with the Code. You may want to
investigate other options, or consult with a design professional identifying an
equally code compliant solution.