Residential Consistency
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
4th Quarter Q&A 2012
General:
1. (Q) Is the height of the retaining wall in Section R404.4 measured from grade to the
top of the wall?
(A) No, the code requires retaining walls “that retain in excess of 48” of
unbalanced fill to be required to have a permit and engineering design.
Because the slope of the backfill a wall shorter than 48” may actually meet
the requirements. For each 1’-0” in height of wall measure 10’-0” behind the
wall to check height of backfill retained.
2. (Q) Are steps in a retaining wall covered by the permit for the retaining wall?
(A) Yes, and they must meet the requirements for stairs in the code.
3. (Q) What is required when the smoke detectors are install as part of an alarm system?
(A) A certification from the alarm company that they are an approved UL listed
monitoring station under NFPA 72
4. (Q) Where does the soffit protection in R703.11.3 apply?
(A) It applies to the entire soffit of a dwelling if any portion of the soffit is
within 10’-0” of the lot line.
5. (Q) When is attic fall protection required?
(A) Fall protection must be provided for all floored attics, at the edges of the
flooring that are accessed by a fixed stair or door.
6. (Q) Are staples approve for use in wind bracing?
(A) Staples are not approved to be used in attaching elements used in wind
bracing.
7. (Q) When are guards not required at retaining walls?
(A) They are not required were the top of the wall is more than 30” above
adjacent grade if the walking surface located more than 36” behind the face
of the wall.
8. (Q) How are house wraps to be installed.
(A) They must be installed per the manufactures instructions and the ESR.
9. (Q) What standard must be met when house wrap is used as an air barrier to meet the
energy code?
(A) ATSM 2178.
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4 Quarter Residential Q & A
Page 2
10. (Q) Can 1” cement board be used as trim for pull down stairs in a garage?
(A) Yes
11. (Q) How should the band be insulated?
(A) Owens Corning recommends that it be insulated by tightly fitting the
Insulation with no additional fasteners required.
12. (Q) How is the termite treatment to be applied?
(A) The treatment must be applied to three sides of the studs up to 24”
above the slab.
13. (Q) Are discontinuous footings allowed by the Code?
(A) They are provided they are constructed in accordance with ACI
332-04 for concrete foundation walls or Appendix Q for masonry foundation
walls.
14. (Q) Is there an exception that would allow a bay window roof not to be ventilated?
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(A) Section R806 would allow for an area of 10’ x15’ to not be ventilated.
15. (Q) Is encapsulation required for tray ceiling insulation?
(A) Vertical wall batt or blown insulation that meets the R-30 requirement does
not have to be encapsulated provided that the insulation is held in place by straps
or other means.
16. (Q) Can a garage lug wall be supported on the brick veneer?
(A) NO it needs to be bonded to the cast in place concrete or masonry block.
17. (Q) Does a slab on grade need a foundation inspection?
(A) If the top of the footing can be seen then only a slab inspection is required. If
it cannot be seen then call for a foundation inspection for backfill purposes.
18. (Q) Dose the basement wall need to be tied to the vertical section of the footing?
(A) No, unless required by the structural engineer.
19. (Q) What is the lap for a vapor barrier under a slab on grade?
(A) 6” min. or the joints need to be taped.