Residential code versus State building code versus ASCE

[shacked]

I am responding to plan check comments generated by an outside consultant for a single story residential addition and they are referencing the California residential code. Specifically table R802.11.

Now I am getting confused as to what code requirements that I should be using for design purposes. I checked the Cities website and they refer to the California building code in addition to NDS, ASCE...nut not the CRC(california residential code)

I thought that the state residential code was a prescriptive code to be used and that as the registered design engineer as long as I comply with the State building code and applicable material design codes that the residential code wouldn't take precedence.

In my opinion for single story light framed residence the code is a little over the top. I mean, one could go on for pages and pages of calculations and detailing requirements to the point where new building would be financially out of reach for the general public.

 

[JStephen]

I don't know about the details of the codes or ordinances in question. But there's no reason a city government and a state government couldn't each enact building code ordinances referencing different codes, where you had to comply with each.
Try looking up the actual law or ordinance that requires the code in each case, and you may find one is stated to take precedence over the other, or possibly one or the other is limited in scope.

 

[gte447f]

I do not know the the California codes, nor their applicability to various project types in different jurisdictions, but I bet the California Residential Code, like the International Residential Code and most state residential codes that I have seen, is a prescriptive code that does not require engineering in most cases unless you deviate from the code. I do not know what is in their Table R802.11 (is it rafter tie down loads?), but why not just follow the prescription of the prescriptive code and provide whatever it says to provide in the table?

 

[JAE]

If you are a licensed engineer working on a 1 or 2 family residence (the arena of the IRC) and your design deviates from the prescriptive requirements - BUT - you can show by calculations, reference, etc. that the design works, the reviewing engineer should defer to the licensed design engineer unless they can show that your calculations aren't correct.



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[shacked]

Thanks guys. JAE, yes that is what I thought.