Code changes begin Thursday

By BRAD DICKERSON
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW October 30, 2007 01:12 pm

— Changes to the 2007 Residential Code will take effect Nov. 1 following a building contractors meeting last week to discuss possible adjustments.
“The major ones we addressed were new energy code requirements,” said David Honeycutt, Glasgow building inspector.
These requirements include giving the builder the option of using the prescriptive package from the Code tables for insulation purposes, or downloading a software package called Rescheck from the Department of Energy’s Web site (www.energycodes.gov).
“I think most people will probably do the prescriptive package,” Honeycutt said.
Other changes require plot plans that show the boundary of the lot with all the setbacks, easements and an area showing where the house can be built.
A registered surveyor will sign the plot plan and staking on the lot shall be done so the inspector can see that the structure is set correctly on the lot.
“It was a pretty significant requirement,” Honeycutt said. “Most of the homes require a survey anyway when they require a loan application.”
Several of the changes deal with requirements inside the home, such as if an area above the garage has living space, the ceiling must be 5/8 inch type sheetrock or the equivalent.
Roof tie downs are also required on truss and rafter systems with a minimum of 175 pound strength and must be applied on each system and nailed to the top plate.
Handrails will also have to be installed on steps that have four or more risers.
The final change requires that, in the Glasgow city limits, silt control measures be placed on sloped properties that disturb the natural ground cover.
This requirement is based on the Storm Water Management Program from state and federal governments.