Some years ago, I was a casualty underwriter for a major insurance company. Most of the work I did was in auto underwriting, but every once in a while, I would have the task of reviewing the losses...fire losses for the past year. The purpose was to see if in any way I had missed something in the underwriting process that I could learn from in the future.
One partuicular loss I still do remember. It was a rambler fire. The owner had done a lot of the construction work himself. He had done some additions to the garage and had done some rewiring and had done this himself. He also had added the garage after the initial construction of the home. He had NOT gotten any required permits or inspections.
To make a long story short---- I was looking at the stark black and white photo of a burnt out rambler. The fire had started in the faulty electric "billy bob" that he had done in the garage. Because he had not bothered to do the barrier up to "code" between the garage and home, it had spread like wildfire and killed all three of his children.
Ever since---BEFORE, I do anything, I have called our local building inspector and talked the project over with him first. There are only a couple of us in town that do this. It has always SAVED me at least $200 per telephone call or visit.
There is a reason for building codes. They are for YOUR protection. I hope you never have to see pictures like I had to see with your family in a burnt out home. Just think. The building inspector might just be your best friend. What a surprise.
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May be, but your inspector needs to be current as far as the newest technologies are concerned.
ReplyDeleteThe days that the inspector wanted the work done his way are slowly coming to an end.
There used to be much room for personal interpetation with building codes and safety labeling practice. Now though there is a new organization designed to house and write codes and standards. One arm of the IBCO will be training in the interpetation of codes. Codes are written for the safety and welfare of the public.
Also if you have a question regarding the interpetation of a building code you can google ICBO and they have an extensive website.
You have many options and recourses when it comes to code interpetation but only one when it comes to enforcement.