Public Restrooms

Over the years, I have received many phone calls from angry Husbands and Wives concerning being denied access to the restrooms in places of business. Many were calling embarrassed telling the horror story that a child or wife had an accident in the store after the owners saying the 

restrooms were not for public use or they were broken. 

Sadly many of the restrooms that should be open to the customers have 

become storage areas for the business or the owners were just too cheap to foot the bill for 

extra toilet paper etc.  Anyone old enough to recall the pay toilets of our youth and how it felt 

searching for a dime while jumping up and down squirming knows what I mean. 

The Codes stand on this is.  Toilet facilities must be available for all public establishments that are 

used by persons engaged in activities involved with the purpose of the establishment. Public 

establishments include but are not limited to restaurants, nightclubs, theaters, offices, retail shops, 

stadiums, libraries and churches. Persons engaged in the activities of the establishment include, but are not limited to, buyers of merchandise, recipients of services, viewers of displays, receivers of 

information materials, employees and those persons in attendance with those engaging in the activities. 

There is a change coming, The 2015 IBC 2902.3 Employee and public toilet facilities. 

Customers, patrons and visitors shall be provided with public toilet facilities in structures and tenant 

spaces intended for public utilization. The number of plumbing fixtures located within the required toilet facilities shall be provided in accordance with Section 2902.1 for all users. Employees shall be provided with toilet facilities in all occupancies. Employee toilet facilities shall be either separate or combined employee and public toilet facilities. 

Exception: Public toilet facilities shall not be required in: 

1. pen or enclosed parking garages where there are no parking attendants. 

2. Structures and tenant spaces intended for quick transactions, including takeout, pickup and                                       

drop-off, having a public access area less than or equal to 300 square feet . 

Wiring

I found the kinda junction box in my Cabin we rented

Blower Door Test IRC

A blower door test at a pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. is required to be performed. Testing shall be conducted by an approved party and a written report of the results shall be signed and provided to the building official. Or the components of the building thermal envelope as listed in Table N1102.4.1.1 shall be installed and inspected as applicable to the method of construction.

Foundation Time

My Foundation is up over in Spanish Fork, just look at how well placed those anchor bolt are !!

Spring Training

The Beehive Chapter of ICC is having their Annual Spring Train this year in April to 20th - 22nd in Provo Utah. Great classes to get signed up early at our website www.beehiveicc.org 

Vertical Grab Bars

604.5.1 Fixed Side Wall Grab Bars. Fixed side-wall grab bars shall be 42 inches minimum in length, located 12 inches maximum from the rear wall and extending 54 inches minimum from the rear wall. In addition, a vertical grab bar 18 inches minimum in length shall be mounted with the bottom of the bar located 39 inches minimum and 41 inches maximum above the floor, and with the center line of the bar located 39 inches minimum and 41 inches maximum from the rear wall.

Damp proofing

Damp proofing is required for all foundations enclosing basements below finished grade. IRC 406.1 and Damp proofing is required for all foundations enclosing areas below finished grade. IBC 1805 are required by the Minimum Codes, How are the Contractors doing this in your areas ?

Trusses

Truss design drawings, the written, graphic and pictorial depiction of each individual truss shall be provided to the building official and approved prior to installation. IBC 2303.4.1.2

Have the engineer record review the truss specs for any loading, uplift or point loads that may be required. Also provide the hangers that are needed for truss to girder connections.

Ice Barriers

In areas where there has been a history of ice forming along the eaves causing a backup of water, an ice barrier that consists of at least two layers of underlayment cemented together or of a self-adhering polymer modified bitumen sheet shall be used in lieu of normal underlayment and extend from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line of the building. IBC 1507.2.8.2 

Commercial Vapor Barriers

A 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches shall be placed between the base course or subgrade and the concrete floor slab, or other approved equivalent methods or materials shall be used to retard vapor transmission through the floor slab. IBC 1907.1

Vapor retarder

A 6-mil polyethylene or approved vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches shall be placed between the concrete floor slab and the base course or the prepared subgrade where no base course exists. IRC R506.2.3