La. Statewide Building Code on Chopping Block at Capitol

May 8, 2007

  • May 14, 2007 at 2:43 am
    Ron Lawson, architect/code off says:
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    Code enforcement has not caused a great deal of added cost to homes in Acadia Parish. We are in the 110 mph zone so currently our home designers can use the IRC prescriptive methods for their designs. The most prevalent problems I am seeing have to do with the structure of the roof and/or second floor and anchorage systems because the person designing doesn\’t have a structural background. Also they miss things like gyp. board separation of the garage to dwelling and fire resistant door to garage, concrete encased electrodes, A/C in attic access and energy conservation calculations. Every designer I have worked with is eager to do it right and are asking for help in this. Our state needs to address this problem at the grass root level. Most home owners are glad to see their homes built stronger but do not see other benifits like lower insurance rates or bank loan promotions to help their situation. My jurisdiction allows plumbers, electricians and HVAC contractors to use their state licensed knowledge by certifying that their work is performed to the code. This cuts down on the wasteful cost of duplicating the engineering and inspection of these important building elements. Plans are reviewed in less detail and My inspectors simply look for obvious errors. I hope to see more instructive help from the LSUCCC in the near future.



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