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Here in Las Vegas some a/h's and fau's acces panels are facing a firewall all you can even touch is the back of the unit.Another great one here is the truss'e will run right across the access making it impossible to even pull the blower out causing high $$$ repair bills,cuz we have to completly disconnect unit just to change a motor, what are you gunna do? cut the truss? not me.
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Yup. Got those here too. Especially some that face the rear wall, and like you said when you walk (crawl) up to it all you see is the rear of the unit. No access to the blower or coil.
Inspectors here in Phoenix need to have their a$$'s kicked!
This crap is being done on BRAND NEW HOMES on a regular basis. And when it IS done, it's a entire cookie cutter housing track all done the same way. The WRONG way.
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I feel your pain
Don't blame too much on the inspectors. I think they should have caught most of this but clearly they didn't. Most code inspectors I see these days are doing a "sampling inspection". They sit out in the truck and come up with the 5 to 10 things they will actually check. If those pass they quit inspecting and pass the job. I don't agree with it, but that is what the "authorities having jurisdiction" have settled on.
The installer shouldn't have left it this way - no matter what company they work for. Who ever holds the license needs to understand THEY are legally responsible for the problems, not the installer. Maybe reminding the license holder of that detail will prevent future problems.
I must be a code worshiper for counting the code violations:
1) No 36 inch clearance in front of the unit per CABO 3905.2
2) No 22 inch wide access from attic opening to unit per CABO 1401.5
3) No 22 inch wide floor per CABO 1401.5
4) No 30 inch wide floor along control side of unit per CABO 1401.5
5) No electric outlet per CABO 1401.6.3 (might be out of picture)
Not shown but strongly suspected -
6) No condensate drain access per CABO 3205.1 & 3207.1
7) No drain line cleanout per CABO 3505.2.4
8) No access to drain line cleanout per CABO 3505.2.5
9) No drain line trap per CABO 3601 & 3701.2
10) No electric disconnect or disconnect inaccessable per CABO 4601.7
I could go on, but I won't.
Per CABO 503.2.2 and Table 503.2.1.1b, that 7/16 OSB is NOT an allowable floor. If the 'floor plywood' isn't continuous over two or more spans it has to be 3/4" sanded exterior-type plywood. Someone else can dig through the table to determine if there is ANY allowable floor installation & thickness for OSB. If the sprinkler pipe were attached to 3/4" plywood, it probably wouldn't move. It would still be better to attach it to the trusses out of everyone's way.
As far as the flex duct on the truss cords - I think that is legal. I think it should be legal and hope the insulators will pile some of that R-30 or so insulation over the top of the R-6 ducts.
OK, I'll get off my sop box now.
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No support for the sloppilly (is that a real word?) installed A/C lines either.
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WOW. I didn't realize there was even a CODE for having a clean out on the drain!
Funny thing is lately some of us began installing a clean out on each maintenance and/or water leak trouble call. Only takes a second when changing the trap and the next drain clearing will be a snap.
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I hear that PAYSON... Since I brought by-the-book thinking to the company I work for... I am constantly haunted by customers that ask... "Well, why didn't you (the company) do it right the first time? Who's gonna PAY for this? Don't I get Warranty?" etc. It's been a hard climb... but I've been given some authority to make a descision as to what is paid for 'after the fact' and what the company eats... I usually side with the customer... and surprise, surprise... were getting them and their cousins, and friends back for business now too...
Maybe my Mom was right... Don't put yourself into a compromising situation... unless it's the right thing to do.
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I really wish I still had a digital camera in my service vehicle. (Had one stolen recently).
Today I went behind a tech who AGAIN did a stupid repair.
The typical GOODMAN A61 air handler lost it's blower wheel a few months back. I guess it had taken out the original bolts that held the ears to the housing. So this tech installs a NEW motor and blower wheel with a new belly band mount. BUT, then instead of getting new bolts and nuts to mount it to the housing he used SHEET METAL screws and mounted the metal part of the motor ears right to the housing! Well of course how long do you think the sheet metal screws will hold that all together????
So today I got the call. Homeowner was right there and when I removed the assemly from his attic and took it outside to work on. He happened to SEE the previous tech's work and took a quick picture with the camera he just happened to be carrying. I guess he was hoping the problem was related to the last fix so it would be free. And of course he was RIGHT!
I fixed it up good with new bolts, nuts, washers and lock washers. It wont be coming apart for a long time now! I think I need to mention this problem to the tech who keeps doing that.
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Man that looks just like the attic of a Pizza Hut?
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Clearences
All manufactures have recommended clearences for service, which many building inspectors defer to. In our area builders have been forced into court and made to re-build non standard installations like the these.
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I wish they enforced it to that point here!
But no. I think the builders pay off the inspectors or something. They HAVE to be.
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payson do you work for chas?