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This picture is from a 8th floor condo.  Take a good look, how many violations can you see?

Yeah this was in the wall.  You can see the saw marks on the back of the 1900 box.

Till next time be safe work safe.

Jake

Just wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving

Darlene, Jake, and Aaron

This is a follow up to the smoke alarm posting from last week.  Smoke alarms do have a requirement for being 4” down from the ceiling, but only when two kinds of ceilings are encountered.  Sloped and peaked ceilings have a 4” requirement to the top of the smoke alarm.  See the picture below.  But on a flat ceiling the top of the detector can be mount right up against the ceiling.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This is just a reminder from a recent post as to where a smoke alarm can be placed on a wall or ceiling.

We still have inspectors out there that require the alarm to be 4” down from the ceiling and the bottom not more than 12” down from the ceiling, which changed several years ago (2007 NFPA 72).  Don’t be afraid to show the inspector this section.  We can all learn new code changes from one another on a daily basis.

Per NFPA 72 17.7.3.2.1 the smoke alarm when installed on a side wall ca be placed right up next to the ceiling and be down as much as 12” to the top of the detector from the ceiling.  Most of the complaints from contractors are because the inspectors are failing them on the final and want it moved.  See the picture below, this comes right out of NFPA 72 which regulates the placement of smoke alarms in residential dwelling units.

The 4” down is an old section for smoke alarms from NFPA 72, but still exists for the installation of heat detectors.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks picture comes from Steve in Deerfield Beach, Thanks Steve.

For the 2014 Code cycle the 15a and 20a branch circuit requirement for GFCI protection of a pool pump has been taken out.  It now requires all 120 volt through 240 volt pool pumps to be GFCI protected.  Whether by receptacle outlet or direct connection all pool pumps require GFCI protection.

Till next time Be safe Work safe!

Jake

Would this be considered a branch circuit extension?

This was sent by someone working in Lake Worth.

Till next time

Be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks post deals with battery operated smoke alarms and when you can use them.

Florida building ‘code allows us to use battery operated smoke alarms under certain conditions, the following text is from FBC Resdientila section R314.

2017 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE RESIDENTIAL

SECTION R314 SMOKE ALARMS¨

One-family and two-family dwellings and townhomes undergoing a repair, or a Level 1 alteration as defined in the Florida Building Code, may use smoke alarms powered by 10-year nonremovable, nonreplaceable batteries in lieu of retrofitting such dwelling with smoke alarms powered by the dwelling’s electrical system. A battery-powered smoke alarm that is newly installed or replaces an existing battery-powered smoke alarm as a result of a Level 1 alteration must be powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers the alarm for at least 10 years. The battery requirements of this section do not apply to a fire alarm, smoke detector, smoke alarm, or ancillary component that is electronically connected as a part of a centrally monitored or supervised alarm system, that uses a low power, radio frequency wireless communication signal; or that contains multiple sensors, such as a smoke alarm combined with a carbon monoxide alarm or other multisensor devices, and is approved and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory

Repairs, as defined in Chapter 2, include the patching or restoration or replacement of damaged materials, elements, equipment or fixtures for the purpose of maintaining such components in good or sound condition with respect to existing loads or performance requirements.

Level 1 alterations include the removal and replacement or the covering of existing materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures using new materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures that serve the same purpose.

These just recently showed up in the stores.  They are 10 year non-replaceable battery types that do interconnect wirelessly.

The interconnection was always a problem because in NFPA 72 it calls for these to be inter-connected but where not available until recently. They have Carbon monoxide alarms also available with the 10 year battery and it is also interconnectable.

But as stated above they are only allowed in a Level 1 alteration or a repair as defined by FBC.

So if your inspector was requiring the interconnection we now have them available to us.  The above package was around $80 for the two-pack., and the carbon monoxide one was $80 each.  They can be connected to you phone through another option that costs around $100.  So technology if finally catching up to our needs in the field.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

Just wanted to say Happy fathers day to all of our fathers out there.

Without you we would not be here!!!

Be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks picture comes from John Seegers of WPB,FL.

Great picture, just don’t know what they where thinking!!!!

Yes that is a shower and yes it works!!!!  WOW

Thanks John

Jake