Code Issues

Increased Communication Between IPL and Builders in the Works
 
At the most recent codes committee meeting in March, ideas for increasing communication between IPL and HBAL members were discussed in an effort to clarify concerns regarding inspections. According to John Morris, Kentucky Quality Homes, codes officials were preparing a monthly "top ten" bullet list of all the items they were seeing most consistently violated in the community (see below). In addition a list of the top questions builders are asking is posted on IPL's website at www.louisvilleky.gov, along with answers from the department. According to Robert Kirchdorfer, assistant director of IPL, many builders still do not have the new 2006 IRC or the 2007 KRC amendments. When a builder has a question and calls IPL, staff there will reference the new book but if a builder doesn't have it, it's difficult to provide an effective answer. As an alternative to phone calls, the IPL office requests that builders visit the department website where there is an option for posing code questions to the department. Additional possibilities are being considered on how to communicate common questions and answers on a regular basis to builders. 
 
Top 10 Residential Code Violations
According to IPL, the following are the "Top 10" residential code violations ...
 
 . Missing Handrails and Guardrails.
 . Safety glazing not in required locations.
 . Missing Anchor Bolts
 . Missing Rafter ties
 . Over-cutting of stair stringers
 . Purlins Missing, improperly constructed or placed.
 . Over boring, cutting, notching of joists and studs.
 . Stair winders not meeting minimum tread depth
 . Variations of stair riser heights at top and bottom of stairs.
 .    10.Fireblocking in walls and soffits
 
R-Value Requirement for Foundation Walls
Recent discussions among builders over the requirements for foundation walls have prompted an explanation for the current requirements listed in the 2007 Kentucky Residential Code. According to Robert Kirchdorfer, assistant director of IPL, Section N1102.2.6 of the 2007 KRC requires exterior walls associated with conditioned basements to be insulated from the top of the basement wall, down to 10 feet below grade or to the basement floor, whichever is less.
 
"This section involves two issues concerning the required R-value for the wall in question. First, it shall be determined if the wall is an exterior wall for the basement or a basement wall. They are not the same when applying Table N1102.1. Each wall enclosing a basement shall be considered separately so as to properly classify the wall as an exterior wall or basement wall. If the wall has an average below grade area of 50 percent or more, the wall is a basement wall. Otherwise the wall is an exterior wall," Kirchdorfer said.  
 
Table N1102.1 is important because it applies a different R-value for exterior walls than it does for basement walls. Therefore, not all walls enclosing a basement are the same when applying R-value requirements.
 
"Once the R-value for the wall is determined, the code requires the insulating value to run from the top of the wall down 10 feet below grade or to the basement floor, whichever is less," Kirchdorfer said. "During the last State Residential Code Advisory committee meeting, the committee and OHBC staff agreed in recognizing that the soil surrounding the wall has some insulating value. Therefore, OHBC informed our office of their position that the R-value for a basement wall can be determined by calculating the R-value of the wall assembly plus the insulating value for the soil to arrive at an overall R-value for the basement wall," he explained.
 
Kirchdorfer said, however, that this method of compliance shall be supported by engineering calculations based on known data on the R-value of soil for given depths. At some specified depth, the R-value of the wall could rely upon the soils as part of the R-value as determined by the engineering calculations rather than just the wall assembly.
 
Reminders:
• Builders Required to Identify How They are Conforming to New Energy Code Requirements
As a check and balance method, IPL is requiring builders to list the planned method (on the residential checklist at the time the plans are submitted) that identifies how they will conform to the new energy code requirements. According to Robert Kirchdorfer, assistant director of IPL, there are major changes in Chapter 11 in the 2007 IRC that builders need to be aware of, in regards to the Energy Code. He strongly urges builders to buy the 2006 IRC, then download the 2007 KRC from the state website and specifically read Chapter 11.
 
• Permanent Energy Conservation Certificate Required in Newly Built Homes
According to Section N1101.8 in the revised Energy Code, a permanent certificate is required to be posted on the electrical distribution panels in newly built homes. 
 
A template for the certificate is offered to builders for downloading through IPL's website found on Metro Louisville's site, www.louisvilleky.gov. The energy conservation certificate is designed to fit common Avery labels and should be in place when the builder calls for final inspection.
 
• Residential Checklist Available Online
The residential checklist form is available online on the IPL website, so that builders can save time and fill it out before they head downtown to submit their plans. (Check the IPL website found through www.louisvilleky.gov.) 
 
• 2006 IRC books available at HBAL
The books are still available at HBAL for $76.50 and can be billed to HBAL accounts.
 
• Extended Grace Period for Windows Now Over
Extended grace period for the fenestration U-factor rating for windows ended April 31, 2008. The easiest way for builders to research compliance options with the requirements is to use Table N1102.1 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Components, referencing Zone 4 found in Chapter 11 of the code or by using the Res-Check program.