Customer Reviews

Code Check: A Field Guide to Building a Safe House (Code Check: An Illustrated Guide to Building a Safe House)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Written by a building inspector who kept getting requests for his "code cheat sheets". This little volume of "can't bust 'em" plastic coated pages is meant to be used. Very condensed and useful.

It explains all the major items of the building, plumbing, elecrical and mechanical codes using clear language and helpful diagrams. If you've ever curled up with the UBC you will understand the need for such a reference.

Invaluable for builders, designers and people who work on their own homes. Covers UBC, CABO, UMC and a few more from the alphabet soup of national codes.

Woody has produced a great building code flip chart for home inspectors, jurisdictional inspectors and contractors. Every building department should have them as well as all home inspectors ! DON'T LEAVE HOME (or the office) WITHOUT ONE !

I read a couple negative reviews of this book and almost didn't buy it! If you have common knowledge of construction and building this book will be an invaluable reference for you. Many things are abbreviated, so it might look confusing at first. Using some common sense and the abbreviation key in front will get you through the initial learning curve. This book will help you comply with electrical codes, plumbing, etc., with sketches only where needed. I rebuild houses on the side, and this book is invaluable.

I suppose if you are already familiar with all of the code sections involved in a code inspection, or at least the portion presented in this form, this would be a helpful form. However, if, even as a building inspector, you need occassional reminders of exactly what a code section involves, this may force the user into guessing what is meant by a particular item on this form. Unfortunately, as a result, I firmly believe, inspections done using this form will not represent the kind of accuracy it seems to imply it can provide from the authors/reviewers. Some of the diagrams are useful. However, a great deal is still lacking in helping the inspector, layman or professional, in understanding exactly what they are looking for.

For instance, one of the items under "Service Conductors" within the "Temporary Power" section reads "Identify neutral at both ends". If the National Electric Code Section referenced (200-6b) is accurate, then this actually means that non-white wires in temporary power systems that are #6 or larger, but not the commonly used #8 copper, must be marked with a white identification tape wrapped around the insulation of the wire in the junction boxes in which both ends of the wire terminate. I'm not sure many of my fellow professionals in the building inspection profession, much less the layman, would know these specifics from this short identifying phrase provided in the form. Furthermore, it could take several books, including a copy of the National Electric Code itself, for someone to fully understand what this code section means.

As a result, I don't believe that this form is designed for the layman at all. I don't believe it will be useful to the typical home buyer having a home built. I think they could be much better served by the local code inspectors. If they were not convinced that a local code inspector would be likely to serve them well, for whatever reason, they should consider using the money to help pay for a full-fledged private inspection by a local home inspector who does new construction inspections.

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I do not have the benefit of knowing any of the authors on a first name basis. I'm not sure that would help. If the form is to be useful, it needs to be useful in and of itself, not because of any personal contact with any of the authors. They won't be available to answer questions from the purchasers of the form when the form leaves the reader/purchaser confused.

Cheap, easy, and fun to read. Well-organized. It's good for simple stuff... stair/railing dimensions, distance from spa to cutoff switch, etc. But as another reader says, in such a small book, don't expect the entire building code to be in there. Still, if I lost my copy, I'd run right out and buy another one.

If you're a do it yourself remodeler or basement finisher this is a good reference to make sure you meet the building codes. It provides some quick answers to things like nailing requirements, maximum spans for doors, roof frames, and floor joists, and many other quick facts for plumbing, electrical, fire and structural codes. But for many questions/issues it just lists the IRC or UPC reference. For that reason it would be even more valuable if you had a copy of the International Residential Code in case you needed more details since it provides the references. I have a building permit to finish my basement and I want to make sure that I meet the codes and this book has been helpful. I plan to buy the plumbing, building and electrical Code Check too.

This book covers out of date codes - Current ICC codes are from 2006 or 2009 based on what is adopted by your jurisdiction. Repairs and new construction need to meet the current codes - check with your local building department.

I purchased this book because I wanted some rough information about building codes for an attic remodel I was planning. What I got was a colorful and well-organized binder that fits in the glovebox of my truck. It is suprisingly detailed, and easy to understand. I give it an A+ as a quick reference for basic building codes.

This slim book has it all! Well organized and concise, helpful illustrations and durable for on-site reference. The wire binding is a big plus making it easy to keep the needed section right at hand. A must for home builders or remodellers or any DIY homeowner that wants to do it right.

This is definitely not the only reference you need but it answers a lot of questions you run into with residential construction, relatively inexpensive tool to keep in the truck under the seat.