Not a beaming review – Framing a Question
As a home inspector I do a lot different types of inspections. From commercial to residential home inspections. In addition I do construction defect, building and remodel consultations, foundation certifications for manufactured homes, commercial land development bank inspections and structural pest inspections.
Draw Inspections
One type of inspection I do quite often, several every month, is construction draw inspections. I basically follow the build of the home or building and ensure that the funds requested are in line with the work completed.
This is to make sure that someone is not taking monies from the bank for work not performed or materials not present. I have actual horror stories where unscrupulous builders take a large draws from homeowner/banks and then skip town. It is rare but it has happened leaving the homeowner in a very bad financial position.
When I am doing draw inspections I am not looking at the structure with a super detailed eye because that is not why I am there for. But I do keep an eye on how the build is going and often I will see some things that will catch my eye.
This is just one example.
During the framing draw inspection I see that a beam was installed by a stair case. Now you go why is this an issue? Well structurally it is not, but why is it even there? There is no loads here for a beam to be necessary. Typical framing detail would be well sufficient.
Beams are structural elements that are primarily designed to carry a load and transfer that load by primarily resisting bending. The bending force then is induced into the material of the beam as a result of the external loads, own weight, span (distance between two intermediate supports for a structure,) and external reactions to these loads is called a bending moment.
Beams will typically carry the vertical gravitational forces and loads as well as horizontal loads (i.e., loads due to an earthquake or wind). These imposed loads carried by a beam are then transferred to columns, walls, or girders, which then transfer the force to adjacent structural compression members and eventually to the foundation and then to the earth.
In light frame construction such as residential homes the joists often will rest on the beams and the those loads are transferred to the ground.
Framing Inspections needed?
The question becomes why was the beam installed here. It serves no purpose. It is a waste of a material which makes you wonder when someone is framing this specific home are they really paying attention and understand what they are doing? There were other issues with this framing job that will make the next person job harder. (Sorry drywallers)
It seams with all the construction going on that getting truly trained framers and trades is lacking. This is where site supervision becomes much more important. Unfortunately that appears to be lacking also.
If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service
Coordinator & Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College
Former WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and on my website Blog.
If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service
Coordinator & Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College
Former WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and on my website Blog.
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