Sex & Shenanigans

Can you explain why the IRC is now requiring GFCI for ALL basement receptacles? Or is that NEC?
It's because they're afraid of ground water seeping in and starting an electrical fire. The same reasoning as requiring hurricane/tornado strapping outside of the states that actually experiencing tornados & hurticanes...too much work to customize it to each individual areas needs.
 
It's because they're afraid of ground water seeping in and starting an electrical fire. The same reasoning as requiring hurricane/tornado strapping outside of the states that actually experiencing tornados & hurticanes...too much work to customize it to each individual areas needs.
I think code writers are getting lazy. They spend a lot of time deciding insulation requirements for all the climate zones, but don't take into account that a properly built/inspected basement in a dry climate will never see a ground water intrusion. Same argument for deciding roofing requirements based on anticipated snow loads. They do some things,but others, all at a cost to consumers

But I'll get off my soap box now.
 
I think code writers are getting lazy. They spend a lot of time deciding insulation requirements for all the climate zones, but don't take into account that a properly built/inspected basement in a dry climate will never see a ground water intrusion. Same argument for deciding roofing requirements based on anticipated snow loads. They do some things,but others, all at a cost to consumers

But I'll get off my soap box now.
I think it has more to do with the standards development process and its a natural consequence of trying to simplify and codify a subject that is naturally complex. Our need for code writers is growing faster than we can organically develop them, so we have to systemize to the deficiency. We do that through the development of standards.

This is not unique to building code writers.

It's happening everywhere.
 
I think it has more to do with the standards development process and its a natural consequence of trying to simplify and codify a subject that is naturally complex. Our need for code writers is growing faster than we can organically develop them, so we have to systemize to the deficiency. We do that through the development of standards.

This is not unique to building code writers.

It's happening everywhere.
That's probably true. And in my opinion, US building code is woefully behind other industrialized nations, and the codes that do exist, are lacking.

It is not code to have a storm shelter for single family dwellings in Oklahoma, despite the frequency of dangerous tornadoes. That doesn't make sense.

Why are we still building with materials soaked in formaldehyde?

There is emphasis out on cavity insulation meeting certain standards, but not the entire wall assembly. So if a builder uses more studs than necessary, they are decreasing R-value and increasing thermal bridging. And what about windows as a percentage of the wall? Shouldn't that be factored for energy efficiency standards?

Sorry, this is my nerdy diatribe topic.
 
I think code writers are getting lazy. They spend a lot of time deciding insulation requirements for all the climate zones, but don't take into account that a properly built/inspected basement in a dry climate will never see a ground water intrusion. Same argument for deciding roofing requirements based on anticipated snow loads. They do some things,but others, all at a cost to consumers

But I'll get off my soap box now.
100% agree. I'm in the PNW, weve added a whole new layer to the BS regulations that just cost consumers money and price most people out of the market, that won't actually pay off for 50+ years.
 
That's probably true. And in my opinion, US building code is woefully behind other industrialized nations, and the codes that do exist, are lacking.

It is not code to have a storm shelter for single family dwellings in Oklahoma, despite the frequency of dangerous tornadoes. That doesn't make sense.

Why are we still building with materials soaked in formaldehyde?

There is emphasis out on cavity insulation meeting certain standards, but not the entire wall assembly. So if a builder uses more studs than necessary, they are decreasing R-value and increasing thermal bridging. And what about windows as a percentage of the wall? Shouldn't that be factored for energy efficiency standards?

Sorry, this is my nerdy diatribe topic.
Oh, windows here are definitely figured into the standards. It's nuts. We're building an addition right now and we had to call it a "sun room" just to get enough windows for my legally blind grandma to have enough light to see as best she can.
 
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