Useful Links

Updated 5/15/2012

Proud Member of HBAGTA, Inc.

ADA - Standards for Accessible Design.
AFCI - Types and Product Categories.
American Institute of Timber Construction (AITC) - Heavy timber construction details and standards. 
APA - Engineered Wood Association - Information on engineered wood products.
APA - Designers Circle
American Wood Council - Standards for wood design and construction including National Design Specification®(NDS®)for Wood Construction and Wood frame Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwellings(WFCM). 
American Wood Council - free download Span Tables for Joists and Rafters.
ASHRAE 90.1-2007 - Michigan's Non-residential/Multifamily buildings energy code.  Limited time offer. Use with Part 10a. Administrative Rules
ASTM Standards
American Wood Preservers' Association (AWPA U1-07) excerpt for protection of wood and wood based products.
Bureau of Commercial Services - License Verifications Builder, Architect, Real Estate Appraiser/Broker, Professional Engineer, Surveyor and 18 others . By phone - 866-630-6608.
Bureau of Construction Code License Verification - Boiler, Electrical, Elevator, Manufactured Housing, Mechanical, and Plumbing.
Bureau of Fire Safety
Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) - Canadian version of evaluation reports for construction materials.
Cat6A - Check your download file for PDF. Information on Telecommunication and Data Wiring.
Code of Federal Regulations - On-line CFR.
Consumer Complaint Directory
Continuing Competency Requirements to renew Builders or M&A license.
COMcheck ^TM  - Energy code compliance software for Non Residential buildings. Select 2009 IECC. 
Compression Chart showing the reduction of R-Value when fiberglass batts are compressed.
Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth - Main page includes general construction code information and department links.
Dimension Express - Appliance installation specification sheets.
DOE - Federal Energy Code Information and Energy Code Compliance Tools. 
Electrical Code Rules 2008 (Part 8) - Michigan Amendments to NEC-2008 (NFPA 70-08).
Energy Star - Builder Option Packages (BOP) for MUEC Zone 6.
Energy Code Resource Center - U.S. DOE miscellaneous reports and information.
EPA - Map of Michigan radon zones.
Forest Products Laboratory - Extensive information on wood products uses, treatment and finishing.
Frost Protected Shallow Foundations (FPSF) - Builders guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations.
HUD - Fair housing logo for use in advertising.
Guide to Permitting and Zoning for Antrim County  - Updated 2011 version.
Guide to Permitting and Zoning for Benzie County  - Updated 2011 version. 
Guide to Permitting and Zoning for Grand Traverse County  - Updated 2011 version.
Guide to Permitting and Zoning for Kalkaska County  - Updated 2011 version. 
Guide to Permitting and Zoning for Leelanau County  - Updated 2011 version.
Guide to Permitting and Zoning for Wexford County  - Updated 2011 version.
Gypsum Association - On-line information for gypsum products including their Fire Resistance Design Manual.
Gypsum Construction Handbook - USG Corporation
ICC - Model code development information.
ICC - Free codes. Use with appropriate Administative Rule amendments.
ICC-ES - Evaluation reports for construction materials.
Lead Paint Rule (RRP) - Publications and other resources for compliance from the EPA.
Michigan Builder Related Laws - Article 24 of PA 299 of 1980, Administrative Rules and lien law information.
Continuing Competency Requirements to renew Builders or M&A license.
Michigan Code Books - are available for purchase (hard copy or download) from the ICC Store. Be sure to enter the promo code MI_BUREAU to receive the member discount.
Michigan Electrical Code-2008 (Part 8. Administrative Rules) - Michigan's non-residential/multifamily electrical code. Use with 2008 NEC.
MDEQ - Water well logs online.
Michigan Legislature - Michigan law and pending legislation.
Michigan Legislative Publications - Legislative Body Rules, Michigan Manual and other publications.
Michigan Lien Law - Includes Sworn Statement and Lien Waiver forms.
MIOSHA - Construction safety standards including a sample Construction Safety Program.
Michigan Uniform Energy Code (Part 10. Administrative Rules) - Michigan's residential buildings energy code.
2009 MUEC Prescription Compliance Form for residential dwellings.
2009 IECC Free Download has expired. You snooze, you lose.
Michigan Non-Residential/Multifamily Energy Code (Part 10a. Administrative Rules) - Michigan's Non-residential/Multifamily buildings energy code.
NFBA - Extensive information on Post-Frame construction.
NFPA - On-line NFPA Codes and Standards.
NFRC - U-value ratings for fenestration products.
Radon - Radon mitigation techniques.
Radon - Michigan Radon Zones
REScheck ^TM - Energy code compliance software for Residential One and Two Family Dwellings. Select 2009 IECC. Select 2006 IECC for log structures.
COMcheck ^TM  - Energy code compliance software for Non-Residential buildings. Select 2009 IECC.
Soil Data - NCSS - Extensive information on soils as collected by the USDA.
Office of Regulatory Reinvention - (Formerly SOAHR) Administrative Rules including history and status of pending Administrative Rule changes.
State of Michigan Contact Listing - Contact information for State of Michigan Employees.
Steel Door Institute - Extensive information on steel doors.
Truss Bracing Standard BCSI 2008 - Truss bracing requirements.
UL - Listing of AFCI Types and Product Categories.
UL Door Listing - Extensive information regarding fire door listings.
WWPA - Western Wood Products Association design information.
WorldClimate - Climate data by town.
To comment or report dead links.

Ask a Code Question

Send Questions to Ask A Code Question.

Updated 4/24/2012
Answers based on Michigan Codes.

Q. Can 2 buildings share an elevator?

A. Yes. The STILLE-DEROSSETT-HALE SINGLE STATE CONSTRUCTION CODE ACT (Act 230 of 1972) states in part...

125.1513e Sharing elevator between 2 buildings.

Sec. 13e. This act does not prohibit the sharing of an elevator between 2 buildings as long as the buildings are in compliance with this act, the code, and the following acts and rules promulgated under those acts:

(a) The fire prevention code, 1941 PA 207, MCL 29.1 to 29.34.

(b) 1976 PA 333, MCL 338.2151 to 338.2160.

(c) 1967 PA 227, MCL 408.801 to 408.824.

(d) Any other act or rules regulating elevators in buildings.

History: Add. 2005, Act 50, Imd. Eff. June 23, 2005.

Q. Is latex paint considered a vapor retarder?
A. In general, latex paints have a perm rating of 5.5 to 8.6 perms at .002" (2 mil) thick and are considered Class III vapor retarders. "Vapor Retarder" latex paints have a perm rating of 0.45 perms at .003" (3 mil) thick and are considered Class II vapor retarders.
Manufactures of Vapor retarder paints include:
Benjamin Moore, DeVoe, Dulux,  Sherwin Williams PrepRite, and Sherwin Williams ProMar.
This list is not intended to be all inclusive. Other manufacturers may offer vapor retarder paints.

Q. Can I leave foam insulation exposed in an unfinished basement?

A. Maybe. The 2009 MRC states:

"R316.5.10 Interior finish. Foam plastics shall be permitted as interior finish where approved in accordance with Section R316.6. Foam plastics that are used as interior finish shall also meet the flame spread index and smoke-developed index requirements of Sections R302.9.1 and R302.9.2.

R316.6 Specific approval. Foam plastic not meeting the requirements of Sections R316.3 through R316.5 shall be specifically approved on the basis of one of the following approved tests: NFPA 286 with the acceptance criteria of Section R302.9.4, FM4880, UL 723, UL 1040 or UL 1715, or fire tests related to actual end-use configurations. The specific approval shall be based on the actual end use configuration and shall be performed on the finished foam plastic assembly in the maximum thickness intended for use. Assemblies tested shall include seams, joints and other typical details used in the installation of the assembly and shall be tested in the manner intended for use."

You will need to check the manufacturer's ICC Evaluation Report (ES) or other approved agencies report to see if the product meets the acceptance criteria.

Q. I'm a RRP remodeler. What documentation do I need to provide to the home owner at the completion of the project?

A. As of July 6, 2010 there are new requirements regarding documentation. Beginning July 6th, 2010, when the final invoice for the renovation is delivered, or within 30 days of the completion of the renovation, whichever is earlier, the renovation firm must provide information demonstrating compliance with the training and work practice requirements of the RRP rule to the owner of the building being renovated and, if different, to the occupants of the renovated housing or the operator of the child-occupied facility.

This is detailed in § 745.86(d) of Title 40 CFR Part 745, Record keeping and reporting requirements and can be found here.
Use this checklist.

Fall Protection Information

Updated 3/12/2012

MIOSHA has issued an UPDATED Enforcement Policy for Residential Fall Protection. (issued 12/11/2011)
This Policy delays the enforcement of the new guidelines from June 16, 2011 to December 16, 2011. EXTENDED TO APRIL 16 SEPTEMBER 16th, 2012. Compliance with the preexisting rules continues to be required.
New Rules appear to contain wording changes. I'm trying to confirm that these rules are correct.

· For inspections where employers are fully in compliance with the former CSHD-COM-04, MIOSHA will issue a Potential Hazard Alert (PTA) addressing the requirements of the revised CSHD-COM-04-1R1 and training. This will apply only to the first inspection during the additional 6 month period.

· For inspections where employers are attempting to comply with the revised CSHD-COM-04-1R1 by using conventional fall protection systems, however the systems are not fully in compliance; MIOSHA will issue a Potential Hazard Alert (PTA) addressing the requirements of the revised CSHD-COM-04-1R1 and training. This will apply only to the first inspection during the additional 6 month period.

· For inspections where employers are using a site-specific fall protection plan when conventional fall protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard, MIOSHA will assist the employer in feasible methods of fall protection that could be used in lieu of the site-specific fall protection plan and issue a Potential Hazard Alert (PTA) addressing the requirements of the revised CSHD-COM-04-1R1 and training. This will apply only to the first inspection during the additional 6 month period.

· For inspections where conventional fall protection is not in place or employees are not in compliance with the former CSHD-COM-04 or another fall protection plan, MIOSHA will issue appropriate citations.

· No citations will be issued for inspections where employers are using site-specific fall protection plans that appropriately evaluate infeasibility or a greater hazard to use conventional fall protection systems.

The following is an alphabetical listing of fall protection equipment suppliers. This list is provided as an informational service only. No recommendation or endorsement is to be construed.

ACRO Building Systems

ActiveForever

AMSI Supply

Capital Safety - Residential (Roofers)
Capital Safety - Construction (Heavy)

Fall Protection Pros 

Garlock Safety Systems
Guardian Fall Protection
HUGSafety
InCord Safety netting
Miller Personal Fall Protection Products
North by Honeywell 
SAFETY Harness Gear
Safety Maker - Safety Boot Guardrail System
Safe-T Ladder - Ladder walk through railing

Safe-T-Strap

Safety Pole Incorporated
Skylight Screens and Railings

Super Anchor Safety

Wall Walker

Additional resources
PowerPoint presentations covering the basics. NOTE: Michigan has modified some rules. See below.

Sample Safety Plan

Fall Protection Rules 

Scaffold Rules 

Ladder Rules

Good Faith fine reductions
OSHA FACT SHEET

Construction Industry Related Recalls

Updated 7/12/11 


Venmar Ventilation Inc., of Quebec, Canada has recalled air exchangers due to fire hazard.
This recall involves air exchangers sold under different brands that are used to circulate air in and out of the home. The metal air exchangers are painted blue or grey. Air exchangers included in the recall were manufactured from 1996 through 2001 and have brand and model information printed on the unit's rating plate or on the side of the unit.
Units branded Venmar, Venmar AVS, VanEE, Flair, Hush, and Guardian by Broan are included in the recall. See here for more information. This recall was issued July 7th, 2011.

Eight Manufacturers Recall Pool and In-Ground Spa Drain Covers Due to Incorrect Ratings.
These Covers Pose Possible Entrapment Hazard to Swimmers.

A&A Manufacturing, of Phoenix, AZ.; AquaStar Pool Products Inc., of San Diego, CA.; Color Match Pool Fittings, of Surprise, AZ.; Custom Molded Products, of Tyrone, GA.; Hayward Pool Products, of Elizabeth, NJ.; Pentair Water Pool and Spa, of Sanford, NC.; Rising Dragon USA, of E. Sweetwater, TN.; and Waterway Plastics, of Oxnard, CA.have recalled drain covers that were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover, which could pose a possible entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers. 

Pool owners/operators and consumers who have one of the recalled pool or spa drain covers should immediately contact the manufacturer to receive a replacement or retrofit, depending on their make and model. Except for kiddie pools, wading pools and in-ground spas, retrofit or replacement of installed covers are not required in pools with multiple drain systems or gravity drainage systems or for covers installed before December 19, 2008. .See here for more information and a list of effected models. This recall was issued May 26th, 2011.

One World Technologies, Inc., of Anderson, SC has recalled Ryobi, model S651D, ¼ Sheet Sanders. Pieces of the fan can break off from the fan assembly and be ejected from the product, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sander and contact One World Technologies to receive a free replacement sander.
See here for more information. This recall was issued May 5th, 2011.
 
Lennox Industries Inc., of Richardson, TX, and  Advanced Distributor Products (ADP) LLC, of Grenada, MS, have recalled FOA and TUA series garage heaters. Some heaters were manufactured without a required flame rollout switch, which is a back-up device that shuts down the heater in the event of a heater failure. This poses a fire hazard. Consumers should immediately stop using the heaters immediately and contact ADP or LENNOX to schedule an inspection and, if necessary, repair of the heater. See here for ADP model numbers and here for Lennox  model numbers and more information. These recalls were issued April 14th, 2011.

Sunjoy Industries Group Limited, of Steubenville, OH, has recalled Freestanding "Garden Treasures Living" Steel Outdoor Fireplaces. The decorative bronze powder coat finish on the fireplace chimney can ignite during use, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Consumers should immediately stop using the fireplace and contact Sunjoy to obtain a free replacement chimney and chimney cap. See here for more information. This recall was issued March 8th, 2011.

Liebherr-Canada Ltd, of Ontario, Canada, importer of CanadaLiebherr-Hausgeraete Lienz GmbH, of Austria has recalled built-in 30-Inch wide bottom freezer refrigerators. The refrigerator's door can detach, posing an injury hazard to consumers. Consumers with recalled refrigerators should contact Liebherr immediately to schedule a free in-home repair.See here for more information and a list of effected models. This recall was issued March 3d, 2011.

Lennox Hearth Products LLC, of Nashville, TN, has recalled Shadowdance Natural Gas Log Set Burner Assemblies. A crack can develop at the gas valve connection allowing natural gas to leak while the burner is in use, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled natural gas log set burner assemblies. Consumers can contact Lennox to arrange for a free replacement of the burner. See here for more information. This recall was issued March 1st, 2011.

DeVilbiss Air Power Company, of Jackson, TN, has recalled air compressors compressors sold under the Craftsman, Delta Shopmaster, DeVilbiss, Husky and Porter-Cable due to a possible fire hazard. See here for more information and a list of the effected models. This recall was issued February 3d, 2011.

Vacless Systems Inc., of Sylmar, CA, has recalled Pool Safety Vacuum Release System. Improper plastic material found inside the recalled product has been attributed to vacuum release failures which create an entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers. Consumers should immediately stop using their pool or spa. Distributors and dealers are directly notifying consumers of the recall and the Vacless SVRS repair program. Pool owners/operators who have not been directly notified should immediately contact Vacless Systems Inc. to implement the Vacless SVRS repair and testing procedure and to receive a replacement unit for installation. The instructions for the repair are also available at www.vacless.com. See here for more information and a list of effected models. This recall was issued January 19th, 2011.

STIHL Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, VA, has recalled STIHL MS 361C chain saws (C-Q version). The throttle trigger may stick after it has been released by the operator, which could cause the engine to continue to run at a speed that drives the saw chain. This can pose a risk of a laceration injury to the user or a bystander. Consumers should stop using these chain saws immediately and return them to an authorized STIHL dealer for a free repair. See here more information. This recall was issued December 23d, 2010.

Ryobi RTS20 portable table-saws have been recalled due to the saw blade on the motor carriage could be misaligned, posing a laceration hazard. Consumers should contact Ryobi immediately to receive a free inspection of their product and, if necessary, a free repair or replacement of their RTS20 Ryobi table-saw. See here for more information. This recall was issued December 14th, 2010.

Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Charlotte, NC, has recalled Frigidaire and Electrolux ICON Smoothtop Electric Cooktops and Frigidaire Slide-in Ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. Liquids can pool under the control knob and cause the surface heating element to turn on unexpectedly, heat to temperatures other than expected and then not turn off, posing a risk of fire and burn hazards to consumers.  Model and serial numbers for the slide-in ranges can be found inside the oven door on the left side of the unit or on the underside surface on cooktop models. The following model and serial numbers are included in this recall can be found here. Consumers should immediately stop using and unplug the recalled ranges or power off cooktops at the circuit breaker. Contact Electrolux for information on how to obtain a free repair kit. This recall was issued October 21st, 2010.

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, MD, has recalled Black & Decker Random Orbit Sanders with model numbers RO400, RO400G, RO410, RO410K, RO410LW and FS3000ROS and date codes between 200701 and 200929. The black plastic disc (called the platen) that holds the sandpaper can fly off or break apart during use and the disc, or pieces of the disc, can hit the user or those nearby, posing a laceration hazard. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sanders and contact Black & Decker for a free replacement platen to hold the sandpaper. See here for more information. This recall was issued September 9th, 2010.

Cerro Wire Inc., of Crothersville, IN, has recalled THHN Electrical Wire. The actual electrical wire has “14 gauge” printed on it, but the packaging incorrectly labels the electrical wire as 12 gauge solid white 100’ UPC 48243982721 and 12 gauge stranded red 50’ UPC 48243229215. If used as a 12 gauge wire, it can overload, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Consumers should immediately stop using any switches, outlets or electrical devices using this wire and contact Cerro Wire for instructions on returning the product for a refund. Any contractor or subcontractor who used this wire should inspect their work to see that their work meets local electrical wiring code. See here for more information. This recall was issued August 18th, 2010.

White Cap Construction Supply Inc., of Costa Mesa, CA, has recalled 2 to 20 pound Brigade Hickory handle sledge hammers. The head of the sledge hammer can loosen and detach, posing a risk of impact injury to consumers. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sledge hammers and return the product to White Cap Construction Supply for a full refund or exchange. See here for more information and model numbers of the recalled hammers. This recall was issued August 18th, 2010.

Lennox Hearth Products, of Nashville, TN, has recalled Superior VFGL Vent-Free Gas Log Sets and VF Vent-Free Fireplaces. The front burners of vent-free gas log set fireplace inserts and the vent-free fireplaces can fail to ignite allowing gas to escape and posing a fire or explosion hazard to consumers. See here for more information and a list of effected models. This recall was issued March 25th, 2010.