This Weeks Discoveries. 4/03/2018
Wenatchee Home Inspections

As a Home Inspector, Structural Pest Inspector and Home Inspection Licensing Instructor I try to keep up with new products, manufacturer or trade information, code information or just interesting content that may help those who are in the profession or looking to further educate themselves.  The material may be articles, documents, video link,vendor sites, technical materials or even an interesting code questions.

Below is a list of some interesting items found in the last week.

Construction/Building Information-

American  Wood Council-

SPAN TABLES FOR JOISTS AND RAFTERS

2015 EDITION

http://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/span-tables/AWC-SpanTables2015-1505.pdf


The 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) section specifically covering decks (R507) is now up to 6 1/2 pages – the 2012 IRC only has 2 1/2 pages. Most of the new subsections will make prescriptive deck construction a lot simpler.

With Build A Deck blog posts links that cover each of these new deck code provisions in more detail.

750 lb. Lateral Load Connection – 2015 IRC

MiTek / USP LTS19-TZ lateral load connector

Simpson Strongtie DTT1Z lateral load connector

Deck joist span table – Table R507.5 and illustrations

Deck beam span table – Table R507.6 and illustrations

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/2015/02/20/2015-irc-4-new-pages-of-deck-code

Closed Crawl Spaces- An Introduction to Design, Construction and Performance

http://www.advancedenergy.org/portal/crawl_spaces/pdfs/Closed%20Crawl%20Spaces_An%20Introduction%20for%20the%20Southeast.pdf

Building Science Information-


Converting Heating and Cooling Loads to Air Flow - The Physics
https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/converting-heating-and-cooling-loads-air-flow-physics


Fiberglass versus Cellulose, A little older article but still worth a read.

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/guest-blogs/fiberglass-versus-cellulose

Building Codes/Technical Documents-

MANUAL for Engineered Wood Construction 2015 EDITION

http://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/archives/AWC-2015-Manual-1603.pdf

Electrical

Challenger is not much different than many of the panels of that era. Better than Zinsco and FPE.

Eaton/Cutler Hammer most likely makes breakers for them.

Cross reference sheet

https://www.brookelectrical.com/.../1190594_Specsheet.pdf

Recall on the Challenger 1988 GFCI-

https://www.cpsc.gov/.../challenger-electrical-equipment....


EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC SHOCK ON MAN (The early experiments that led to the GFCI)

http://www.premierpowerinc.com/docs/Effects_of_Electric_Shock_on_Man.pdf




COMMON AC POWER DISTRIBUTION CONFIGURATIONS

http://www.programmablepower.com/support/FAQs/DF_AC_Distribution.pdf

Plumbing/HVAC

There are two main type of Geothermal heat pump systems, “Open loop” and “Closed loop”.

Here is a nice site that talks about the two systems.

http://idahogeothermal.com/open-loop-vs-closed-loop/

A Brief History of Chrysler Airtemp

https://www.allpar.com/corporate/airtemp.php


Nice Article on checking HVAC Disconnects.

https://hvacrschool.com/checking-disconnects/

Tie into Cast-Iron Pipe With PVC

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/2018/03/14/tie-cast-iron-pipe-pvc

Product Information-

Panasonic's Budget Energy Recovery Ventilator

https://youtu.be/-3CRGhu8C5I

Product Recalls

The halogen light bulbs can shatter while in use in a lamp or light fixture, posing laceration and fire hazards to consumers.T

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/H-E-B-Recalls-Halogen-Lightbulbs-Due-to-Laceration-and-Fire-Hazards

Miscellaneous Information-

Who’s Legally Responsible for Sidewalk Repairs?

I found these articles

https://www.washingtonoregonlawyers.com/be-safe/whos-responsible-for-sidewalk-repairs

http://mrsc.org/Home/Explore-Topics/Public-Works/Streets,-Road-and-Sidewalks/Sidewalk-Construction-Maintenance-and-Repair-(1).aspx


Measuring motor temperature is often a challenge since electric motors differ widely in their design and construction.

Measuring the exterior of the motor bell housing within 1” of the output driveshaft consistently produced temperatures that were within 1 to 2 C of the motor windings.

https://www.irinfo.org/tip-of-the-week/

WDO-

MOISTURE ANTS- From WSU

These ants are not a primary structural pest, but they can speed the deterioration of wood.

http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1382/eb1382.pdf

Rot repair- Here is one solution to repairing rotted materials.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/h…/how-to-fix-rotted-wood-epoxy

" You can only teach someone, as much as they are willing to learn."

Chris G. Varona

If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection-  Bellingham Technical College

WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board

www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                                   509-670-9572

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