June 26, 2008

Apex donates inspections and design work to St. Jude's Dream Home

Apex Engineers, Inc. has completed several inspections for the 2008 Kansas City St. Jude's Dream Home. The home is being built by Dub Giltner of Giltner & Sons Homes and is located in the Pine Grove subdivision in Kansas City, MO. Features include four bedrooms, three and one-half bathrooms, three-car garage, and a large deck. The home is 2,764 square feet and valued at approximately $350,000. The home will be the grand prize given away at the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway on August 23, 2008. All money goes to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in helping kids fight cancer and other terrible childhood diseases. For more information, visit the Giltner & Sons' web site.

May 20, 2008

KCMO adopts the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC)

Recently the City of Kansas City, MO, updated the Kansas City Building & Rehabilitation Code (KCBRC) with the adoption of the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC). After April 30, 2008, all Master Plans reviewed under the 2003 IRC will no longer be valid for obtaining permits.

Some updates include:

  • New foundation reinforcement and construction requirements
  • Emergency escape and rescue opening required from all basements
  • Fire-resistive construction of exterior walls and eaves required within 5' of property line
  • Water-resistive barrier required for all exterior walls
  • Gable rafters shall be connected with both ceiling joists/rafter ties and collar ties/ridge strap
  • Cement, fiber-cement or glass mat gypsum backer required behind wall tile in tub and shower areas
  • Arc-fault circuit interrupters required for all bedroom circuits
  • 'Plug-in-place' receptacle covers required in wet locations
  • Certification of energy efficiency required on plans and posted in each house
  • Gas piping not permitted to pass through townhouse units other than the one served by the piping

A full description of changes with the 2006 code can be found in the document CPD-DS Information Bulletin 114. Please feel free to contact Apex Engineers, Inc. with any more questions about the 2007 IRC Updates.