Thread: Do you , don't you.

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It is certainly something you want to make the homebuyers aware of-- 3/8 of an inch? Yep. Let'em know what they are buying.

Is the fireplace opening less than 6 square feet?-- 16 inches would apply.
If > 6 square Ft., then it would require a 20 inch (minimum) hearth.

RR

You can be sure that the insurance adjuster would not let it go.

98% of all insurance adjusters can't spell c.o.d.e. if you spot'em the o and the d.

I know of only a very few per company who have ever taken the time to familiarize themselves with code.

The fire-investigator is another story...

RR

Richard,

So what if the fireplace opening is equal to 6 square feet? Do we build the hearth extension 18”?

The adjusters don’t need to know code, they just have to be able to dial the phone and find someone who does. It is the experts who determine if there are any grounds for subrogation.

Getting a wedgie for 3/8". Amazing. How many days does it take you to do an inspection?

Yes! What's wrong is wrong. Let the buyer determine if they want to correct it.

Nit picking! And btw, we are not code enforcers either.

Originally Posted by Dale W. Feb

Richard,

So what if the fireplace opening is equal to 6 square feet? Do we build the hearth extension 18”?

The adjusters don’t need to know code, they just have to be able to dial the phone and find someone who does. It is the experts who determine if there are any grounds for subrogation.

Since we are nit-picking, you would re-measure. That sucker has to be either 1/32 or 1/164th over or under 6 sq ft...

Richard,

I wasn’t nit-picking. I was having fun while clarifying the requirement for all those sitting back reading but not replying. You mentioned a fire place opening less than 6 square and an opening more than 6 square feet. But what does the code say for a fireplace equal to 6 square feet?

Dale,

20 inches.

That would be in accordance with:

R1003.10 Hearth extension dimensions. Hearth extensions shall extend at least 16 inches (406 mm) in front of, and at least 8 inches (203 mm) beyond, each side of the fireplace opening. Where the fireplace opening is 6 square feet (0.557 m2) or larger, the hearth extension shall extend at least 20 inches (508 mm) in front of, and at least 12 inches (305 mm) beyond, each side of the fireplace opening.

I look at it this way. We are not experts so we have to rely on the exports to inform us on what is safe and what isn't. That can be from the manufacture, code book or from some other source. Example: The National Fuel Gas Code 54-5.7.2.3 informs us of the proper clearance needed from a gas regulator. Since our local gas company uses this code to determine the safety clearance, I feel I can do the same. If the experts find that that number needs to be increased or can be decreased, then I will report it that way. If I get sued, then I have information from an export(s) to back me up.

Builder: I installed the sill plate bolts 6 feet 3 inches apart on all my houses.

City Inspector: That's fine, close enough.

To nit picky in my opinion. I would not call it out.