Bruce A. Barker - Black & Decker Codes for Homeowners, Updated 3rd Edition: Electrical - Mechanical - Plumbing - Building - Current with 2015-2017 Codes

Updated 3rd Edition

Electrical Mechanical Plumbing Building Current with 2015-2017 Codes

Bruce A. Barker

First published in 2015 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401

2015 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purposes of review, no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Publisher.

The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of the author or Publisher, who also disclaims any liability incurred in connection with the use of this data or specific details.

Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or sales-promotional use. For details write to Special Sales Manager at Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. To find out more about our books, visit us online at www.coolspringspress.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Barker, Bruce A.

Codes for homeowners : electrical, mechanical, plumbing, building, current with 2015-2017 codes / by Bruce A. Barker.

pages cm.

At head of title: Black & Decker.

Summary: "Detailed step-by-step photos and how-to information explaining the current codes necessary for homeowners to follow when doing home remodeling or improvement"-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-59186-906-1 (paperback)

1. House construction--Standards--Popular works. 2. Building laws--United States--Popular works. 3. Dwellings--Maintenance and repair--Pictorial works I. Title. II. Title: Black & Decker codes for homeowners.

TH4815.5.B365 2015

690.8021873--dc23

2014038250

Digital edition: 978-1-62788-605-5

Softcover edition: 978-1-59186-906-1

Acquisitions Editor: Mark Johanson

Design Manager: Brad Springer

Layout: Danielle Smith-Boldt

Author: Bruce Barker

Illustration: Bruce Barker

Additional Illustration: Mark Abdellah

Photography: Rau + Barber

Photo Assistance: Jon Hegge

Cover Photo: Rau + Barber

Codes for Homeowners

Created by: The Editors of Cool Springs Press, in cooperation with BLACK+DECKER.

BLACK+DECKER and the BLACK+DECKER logo are trademarks of The Black & Decker Corporation and are used under license. All rights reserved.

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and BLACK+DECKER cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.

Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

T he purpose of the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC), and of all building codes for that matter, is expressed in IRC Section R101.3: The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health, and general welfare This statement provides important information about building codes and code inspections. Building codes are minimum requirements. A house built to minimum requirements is not necessarily a high quality house built by craftsmen according to best practices. Code inspections are about safety and health. They are not about fit, finish, and other cosmetic issues. They are not even about functional issues that are not specifically addressed in the code. Understanding the purpose of building codes helps you set realistic expectations about the limits of building codes and code inspections.

Building codes change; most do so on a three year cycle. Many code changes are little more than rewording or reorganization in an attempt to make code provisions easier to understand and easier to find. Many code changes and additions are substantive and homeowners should be aware of these as they perform repairs and remodeling projects. Substantive additions and changes are the reasons for this updated edition of Codes for Homeowners.

One substantive change and addition to the 2015 IRC involves the section on decks and we have expanded the deck section of this book to reflect these changes. Decks are one of the most frequent sources of injuries and fatalities of any structure in and around the home. The expanded decks section provides important information to help you build a deck that complies with 2015 IRC requirements. It will also point you to information that will help you go beyond minimum code requirements and build your deck according to best practices.

Another substantive change to the 2015 IRC involves energy efficiency requirements. We all want to use less energy in our homes, not only to save the environment but to save money. We have added a significant new section to this edition of Codes for Homeowners that will not only help you understand new IRC requirements, but also provides tips on how you can save energy and save money.

Trying to condense a 900-page code book that is mostly text and tables in very small print into significantly fewer pages filled with pictures and illustrations is a challenge. We have not included many code provisions because homeowners will not use them. The provisions we include have been simplified to make them easier to understand. This means that Codes for Homeowners is not your local building code. Your local building code, as interpreted by your building inspector, is the code with which you must comply. You must do so even if you do not obtain a building permit for your work. If you have any doubts or questions about how a building code provision applies in your area, you should ask your local building inspectors. In almost every case, if you approach them as a resource and not as an obstacle, you will find your local inspectors to be friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help.

Bruce A. Barker

Residential Combination Inspector

International Code Council

Codes & Permits: The Basics

I n just the United States you will find hundreds of code books describing thousands upon thousands of building code provisions. On top of this, there are even more books that look and feel like code books but are really only attempting to describe best practices. Almost all of these have their own inherent value. But almost none of them apply to a typical homeowner living in a typical single-family home. As a homeowner and DIYer, perhaps the hardest thing about building codes is learning how to tell which one applies to you and, if there is a disagreement, which takes precedence. As an introduction, here are some brief biographies of the more common codes and enforcement agencies youre likely to encounter.