Attic acess clearence?

[robc]

Hi all, my local inspector is giving us a hard time over scutttle hole opening clearances. It seems all the new homes we are doing have truss attics with just a small path clearance for the HVAC located in center of the attic at a height of about 8'. I have the guys running romex buy the soffit area which is about 4' from the opening of the hatch but its not accessible where the roof meets at about 2' height.

I guess the answer I looking for is don't the Inspectors take into consideration the way new homes are constructed with a truss attic and the older conventional way where one could lay plywood down on the floor and use the attic for storage space or for the matter actually walk across the attic without having to climb around like a kid on monkey bars.

Thanks in advance, Rob

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

What are you asking?

 

[robc]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

He is Red tagging me on having the wires run to close to the attic opening! But the way the the homes are designed "slab with all the HVAC in the attic and vaulted ceiling in the family room" there is no practical way to keep things run neat and effective without being 4' from the scuttle hole opening.

Rob

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

The code is actually six feet. I red-tag this on about 75% of the houses I inspect. All you have to do is lay a 2X4 next to your NM cable.

 

[tonyi]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

Lay down some 1x2 deadmen spacers and slap some 1/2" OSB over the wire in that area...

Or take a piece of OSB and construct a knee wall infront of the area where the cable is...

Or sleeve through PVC if the attic doesn't get too hot...

Or EMT if it does. No need to ground EMT in short sections used only for physical protection. There's some insulating bushing that snap onto the end of 1/2 and 3/4 EMT that are perfect for this sort of thing.

For a few bucks it probably isn't worth fighting.

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

There is nothing to fight.

90.4 states that I can waive a code requirement, by special permission, if you provide an alternitive that provides equal safety.

If you don't provide an alternate, I can't waive it.

 

[robc]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

I know the code is 6' but I can only effectively be about 4' away. I am in the area between the scuttle hole opening and the soffit. the only way there is on your belly and I did use the 2*4 method because the older nicer inspector who left understand the house layout and that was his only request. He passed 83 homes for me this way and now now we failed the last 5 this week because the new guy says " I am the boss around here and I don't like it" waving the code book in his hand.

My real complaint is why can't there just be a happy compromise with work being performed. These are 55+ homes and no one is ever gonna ever use the attics "trusses" and everbody gets mad i.e. rough super,job foreman,and me,


Rob

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

I sympathize. I think it is important to remember intent.

Talk with your inspector about this: The building code states that an attic only requires access in an area that has 30" of head-room for a 100 square foot area. In the installation you describe, there is no probable way the intent would be violated...maybe that is an alternative.

Try talking with him. I'll bet you thought I was a nazi inspector after reading my first posts, but it goes to show you never can tell.....

 

[Guest]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

From your description I'm still not quite sure why you can't just lay down some running boards (guard strips) to protect the NM. Have you read 334.23? The protection requirement is very minimal & easy to meet.

 

[tonyi]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

I constantly scope out the cull bins at HD and Grossmans for cheap bent wood for runners. On bigger job sites, just cut up some of the numerous pallets in the dumpsters...if you're really pinching pennies, recycle the nails in'em

 

[pierre]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

When one knows the code rules it is not difficult to make an installation work. The response from some of these guys is proof that it is done elsewhere. The inspector who 'lets things go' is not doing you any favors, especially if it is not in writing.
Whats one of the good things about following code? It separates us from those who don't.


What makes me laugh sometimes is how the code is good on the job until it gets in the way of a paycheck.
I always say that knowing the code is money in the bank.

Pierre

 

[russ]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

Wah! Wah! I don't want to! It's too hard!

Lets change the codes, because the right way is to hard to do. :roll:

It seems simple enough, as stated by others. If your within 6ft protect the cable

 

[russ]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

Pierre
That was well said.

 

[robc]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

Russ and Pierre,I guess you did not read my other post well enough? I have my guys using 2*4's to protect the NM, as myself and the prior inspector sought out the CORRECT WAY to run the wire and protect it, since it would be within 6' of the scuttle hole.

Problem now is new inspector can't interpret the code book and the corrective measures we made in past to the same job correctly i.e. using 2*4 as block for NM cable and keeping everything neat and effective. He only cares about the 6' rule.
Get it!

Rob

 

[robc]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

"What makes me laugh sometimes is how the code is good on the job until it gets in the way of a paycheck.
I always say that knowing the code is money in the bank"

I am sorry But you don't know me enough to form an epinion about me.

Rob

 

[roger]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

Rob said on 9-27 at 10:42 PM

I did use the 2*4 method because the older nicer inspector who left understand the house layout and that was his only request.

It seems as though the new inspector doesn't understand the protection method.

Roger

 

[russ]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

Rob:

Sorry .I read or didn't read your third post right.
Guess you'll have to print the code out for your inspector, because he must read like me.

[ September 28, 2003, 03:03 PM: Message edited by: russ ]

 

[pierre]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

Rob
I was not judging you, although after rereading my post, it does sound like I was directing it at you. I did not understand that you had made corrective measures and I apologize if I offended you, none was meant.

Pierre

[ September 28, 2003, 04:55 PM: Message edited by: pierre ]

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

We had a simular situation recently,New inspector ,new code book in hand,all those pretty tabs attached for code referances.He insisted the the protection board was to be placed between the attic access and the wire.I bit my cheek and complied.Then he came up with the wire to the access light and switch had to be protected(this was run along side the truss next to the access itself)citing protection from physical damage.So we nailed a 2x6 along the top chord of the truss over the wire,3rd inspection was cited for the keyless to close to access (someone might hit it with a box if it was lifted into the attic for storage}I was livid,I called the chief and asked him to come meet with me and take a look at the situation.We met and he agreed with me that we were in compliance with all codes that are required.He repealed the tags and on we went.
Have your ducks inline ,articles noted and i am sure you can resolve it.

 

[macmikeman]

Re: Attic acess clearence?

You can allway's drill thru the trusses (I'd keep it to a 1/2" hole) and run the wires thru the holes. The code book says not to lay the cables across the top of the truss within 6'ft.
Running board protection has allways been an acceptable alternative to the problem. If your new hotshot inspector says he wont pass the running boards, then kindly show him the new article 80 from the 2002 code. It details what an inspector can and cannot do on his own.