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Naffa International Home Building Code Resources Building Code Discussion Group Software About Naffa International Search Naffainc.com

To keep you abreast of the Building Code Discussions Group (BCDG) performance, we periodically post the comments we receive from members, visitors and reviewers.

'Know The Score: Building Codes' a write up on the Building Code Discussions Group by IRED.com
Builder Magazine BUILDER MAGAZINE features the BCDG! Builder Magazine- The Magazine of the National Association of Home Builders, featured your BCDG in its January 2002 issue. "It's the Law"

Imad:
It was also my extreme pleasure to finally meet you. Your work on the Building Code Discussions Group is very much appreciated. It must give you great satisfaction to know that you have created something that has such great value to all of us. Keep the faith in good code.
Chuck Daleo, Code Consultant

I work for the Pacific ADA Center. We are nonprofit center providing information to the community with the goal of facilitating voluntary compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar disability rights legislation. This information is provided primarily via a toll free hotline (800-949-4232). For the past several years, we have relied on your BCDG- “Disabled Access/ADA/ANSI” forum as a valuable reference tool. The contributing members possess  a considerable amount of knowledge and well-informed opinions on the subject of disability access.
Don Risdall
DBTAC: Pacific ADA Center
www.adapacific.org

It doesn't get much better than this! Naffa International, Inc. is the one-stop for code compliance information. Principals of this group host a discussion group for building code questions. This is no sissy group either. The participants are usually all professional engineers, designers, architects, contractors and building officials. It doesn't get much better than this. http://www.NAFFAinc.com: http://www.turnbow.net

Building Code Discussion Group (BCDG): Intelligent, advertising-free discussions about all phases of construction, including answers to building questions. Click "Guest" to read messages, or become a member to post.
About.com, Architecture
I am really impressed by the quality of responses to the queries. As a professional engineer and an expert witness in this area for over 40 years, I have rarely seen a service that gives real advice. Keep up the good work.
Charles E. Turnbow, J.D., P.E.

Thanks so much for hosting this forum. It is truly an invaluable resource for those of us in remote locations who have little other contact with our colleagues. This is a very good interface which I intend to use often and have recommended it to my staff.  It allows me to quickly and economically "discuss" building code issues with others that are in the trenches and dealing with similar issues on regular basis. Thanks for a job well done and keep up the great work!
Chris Roust, Architect/Building Official, Juneua, AK.

Imad:
Without a doubt, your Building Code Discussion forum is the definitive web location for building related topics and issues. This is the ONE place I keep visiting to stay on top of my profession. I can't help but think, that the new folder will only foster the building department related discussions so many of us deal w/every day. THANK YOU. 
Harry Chartier, CBO, City of Sitka, AK

I find the group to be professional and responsive. No doubt the structure of it helps. Over the months I have visited several regarding the code. The two AIA sites have not been useful and I have stopped using them. I use the ICBO one dedicated to the IBC but there is not much going on there. I gave up on the sprinkler site too. Anyway, congratulations and keep up the good work.
Terry Patterson, AIA, Professor- OSU

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a code forum where you can ask questions, get answers, and discuss these issues.  Thank you for this forum!
Ellie Ross, University of California System

Dear Sir:
We are very impressed with your forum and would like to assist where appropriate. Thanks,
Jerry Razwick
Technical Glass Products

I've been ICBO-certified for 17 years and I am an ICBO member. I follow this forum more often than any other web site discussion area(s). This site is EXTREMELY VALUABLE for us all. KEEP IT GOING! Sincerely, 
Dennis G. Nolan, Project Coordinator 
Nevada State Public Works Board 

LundsUniversity-sweden in Sweden

flag-us Building codes, regulations and standards in U.S.A.

"For further advice; there is a comprehensive web site called "The World of Building Codes" where you also can join the Building Code Discussions Group Message Board and for instance, order recommended books from the Building Code Bookstore"

Thanks Imad. This forum has been very beneficial to me and I guess that is why I have chosen to participate as much as I do. I have used information from this forum as an instructional tool for my other plans examiners. I have visited other code forums and the "Building Code Discussion Group" is the ONE I chose to participate in because of the diverse membership that uses all three model building codes. This forum goes along with what the three model code associations are trying to accomplish. The ICC is standardizing the model codes and this group has the ability to standardize the use of the new codes.

Thanks again,
Jack L Speelman, CBO
Senior Plans Examiner City of Sparks, NV

I have to agree, this forum is the BEST source of information I have found anywhere. Keep up the good work.

H. Boeckmann, P.E.

Greetings from Texas! I just became acquainted with this discussion group and I'm very impressed.  I intend to be a regular participant, as time permits.

Rick Baudoin, Administration & Inspection Manager
Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulations.

I have used this forum several times since you suggested I use this. I have received some good information and have given, I hope, the same. The different ideas and answers are good. It helps you to think out the problem you have or someone else has. It has helped on a couple already. This is a great tool, thanks for the suggestion!

I am an attorney who has had a number of code-related issues pop up over the years (I've been doing more and more work for an electrical contractor, for example). Your forum seems like a good resource for information and also to find knowledgeable people to bounce ideas off.

David Butler, Attorney/Partner, Alpert Butler & Sanders, P.C.
West Orange, NJ

Thanks for the use of your software, CodeBuddy� Version 2.0. The software provides quick access to Uniform Building Code requirements for Occupancy R buildings. Its summaries and illustrations helped my understanding of those sections of the UBC. I also appreciate this company's sponsorship of the internet "Building Code Discussion Group" (http://bcodes.infopop.net) where I was able to get code questions answered and where numerous discussions of code related topics were available for my review.

Terry Patterson, Architectural Professor, University of Oklahoma
"Illustrated 2000 Building Code Handbook" developer, McGraw-Hill- publisher

Imad: I am sorry that I have not been responding or participating recently in this valuable forum. This is due to me changing jobs as I have resigned my post as the assistant building official with the County of Los Angeles and assumed the post of building official with the City of Long Beach. As I am getting a little breather now, and knowing how valuable your forum is in assisting me with my new duties, I want to begin again my contribution as well as benefiting from the ongoing discussions.

Fady Mattar, P.E.
Superintendent of Building & Safety (Building Official),
City of Long Beach, CA.

Name=Harry Chartier, Building Official
City=Sitka, Alaska
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=3 (Good)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions, Construction Type, Fire Resistive Const., General Information.

Name=Charles G. Nai, Building Inspector
City=Enfield, CT
SiteLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=1 (Best)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
IwillBookMarkYourSite=Yes
Comments_FeedBack=Quite impressed ! Very nice layout, interesting features. A wealth of info. Thanks !!

Name=Keith Utter, Building Official
City=Montague, N.J.
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=2 (Very Good)
HelpfulInfoFound=2 (Very Good)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions

Comments_FeedBack= I am relatively new at this internet thing, but am enjoying responding to various message boards at a number of sites. This site is the most code specific. I think the future of the codes are going to increase the use of these sites as we enter into the International Codes.
Is there or will there be a area that would contain resumes or background information on members so that you may search for particular expertise or perhaps know the background of the respondent's. (This was done since the message was posted)!

Name=David D. Ross, Architect
City=San Francisco, CA
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=2 (Very Good)
HelpfulInfoFound=2 (Very Good)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
FeedBack=I appreciated that they took the time to review my CAD files and discussed my questions with a lot more depth than at typical discussion group level

Name=Bill Sherman, Engineer-Structural
City=Denver, CO
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=2 (Very Good)
HelpfulInfoFound=3 (Good)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
IwillBookMarkYourSite=Yes

Name=Tom Liberty, Chief Building Inspector
City=Atwater, CA
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=ADA & Access, Building Code Discussions, Construction Type, Fire Resistive Const., Occupancy-related, M/P/E, See what others are doing.

Name=Barry D. Yatt, Architect
City=Washington, DC
SiteLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=General Information, Fire Resistive Const.
IwillBookMarkYourSite=Yes

Name: Ed Ruff
City=Richland, Washington
SiteLayout=3 (Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
HelpfulInfoFound=2 (Very Good)
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
IwillBookMarkYourSite=Yes
Comments_FeedBack=For some reason, your home page is VERY slow to load.
The screen remains white for a long time...I have to push the "Stop" icon on the browser toolbar before any part of the page becomes visible. Don't have this problem with your sub-tier pages.

Name=Robert Chiu
Profession=Educator
City=SANTA ANA, CA
SiteLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=1 (Best)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
IwillBookMarkYourSite=Yes
Name=Debbi
Profession=Home Owner
City=Edison, NJ
DiscussionsLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=1 (Best)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
FeedBack=Thank you for letting those of us "not in the business" the opportunity to have the inside track to understand what we're not being told by the "experts" we hire and a place to come for honest advice!
Name: Chris Warrick, Building Official
City: Ukiah, CA
DiscussionsLayout: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp: 1 (Best)
HelpfulInfoFound: 2 (Very Good)
MostBenefittoMe: See what others are doing
IwillBookMarkYourSite: Yes

Name: Brian W. Meek, Building Official
City: Yreka, CA
DiscussionsLayout: 1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 1 (Best)
EaseofSigningUp: 2 (Very Good)
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe: General Information

Name: Neil McCain, Educator
City: Grants Pass, OR
DiscussionsLayout: 1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 5 (Fair)
EaseofSigningUp: 5 (Fair)1
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)

Name: Dennis G. Nolan, Plan Checker
City: Dayton, Nevada/USA
DiscussionsLayout: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp: 1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe: ADA & Access

Name: Charlie Robinson, Builder
City: Guadalupe,CA
DiscussionsLayout: 1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp: 1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe: Building Code Discussions
Date: 5/24/99

Name: Charles E. Turnbow, J.D., P.E., Expert Witness
City: Apple Valley, CA
DiscussionsLayout: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 3 (Good)
EaseofSigningUp: 1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe: ADA & Access
IwillBookMarkYourSite:
Comments_FeedBack:
Date: 6/11/99

Name: Fred Wilkie, Plan Checker
City: San Luis Obispo,CA
DiscussionsLayout: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp: 2 (Very Good)1
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe: ADA & Access
Date: 6/11/99

Name: LG Nelson, Plan Checker
City: Vancouver, WA
DiscussionsLayout: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp: 1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe: Building Code Discussions
Date: 6/25/99

Name: Todd Andersen, Architect
Company: Rolph Jensen Group
DiscussionsLayout: 1(Best)
EaseofSigningUp: 1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe: General Information
Date: 7/3/99

Name: Greg Swob, Building Official
City: Colby, Kansas/ USA
DiscussionsLayout: 1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation: 2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp: 1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound: 1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe: General Information, ADA & Access
Date: 8/9/99

Name=Carolyn R. Williams, CPCA, CFI
City=Richmond, VA, USA
DiscussionsLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=1 (Best)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
FeedBack=Excellent resource for sharing information, code interpretations/opinions, philosophical discussions, etc. Have already been delighted with what I've gained from this forum already; and look forward to much more to come!

Name=Richard D. Bowen, AIA
Profession=Architect
City=Los Alamitos, California, USA
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
MostBenefittoMe=See what others are doing
MostBenefittoMe=Software Info. on CodeBuddy
FeedBack=I have placed a couple of questions for review and have received a lot of good information. I too like to twist and turn the codes to see where they will go and have fun reading about those twists and turns. KEEP IT GOING.

Name=B.K. 
Profession=Designer
City=Birmingham, Alabama 
DiscussionsLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=1 (Best)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
FeedBack=As a designer I enjoyed seeing this forum! A lot of designers today don't educate themselves with code-related issues. I found the forum to be a great site for designers, architects and code officials-- where we can really TALK and stop being cold to one another!
Name=Jay Peters
Profession=Educator
City=Los Lunas, New Mexico
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=2 (Very Good)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=See what others are doing
FeedBack=As an instructor, I  travel across the country assisting contractors, journeymen, and inspectors with mechanical and plumbing codes, duct sizing, heat loads, licensing exams, etc. It has been very educational, not to mention enjoyable, getting a well rounded education from everyone else. By reading the Q&A's in this forum I am reminded that I can learn something new everyday. As a member of SBCCI, ACCA, IAPMO, ICBO, ASHRAE and several others, I tend to jump around on the internet and otherwise,  but this forum (Building Code Discussions Forum) has a little of everything. Thanks & please keep it up to everyone! 
Name=Louis A Marks, Jr.
Profession=Building Official
City=NEWPORT NEWS, VA
DiscussionsLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=ADA & Access
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
MostBenefittoMe=Fire Resistive Const.
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
MostBenefittoMe=See what others are doing
MostBenefittoMe=Structural
FeedBack=I think it is the best site going! ICBO gives great support but neither BOCA or SBBCI seem to be supportive. Idea is to get ICBO, BOCA & SBBCI to use this site as the point to answer questions. ICBO has good site but SBBCI & BOCA have poor chat sites and are hard to access. With the coming of IBC & IRC a central site like this one is needed. I left comments on both BOCA & SBBCI and neither site seems interested.  Keep up the good work. I am going to see if I can get the Virginia Code Officials to give you a good link.
Name=Scott Ward
Profession=Building Inspector
City=Ukiah, CA
DiscussionsLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=1 (Best)
EaseofSigningUp=3 (Good)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=ADA & Access
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
MostBenefittoMe=Fire Resistive Const.
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
MostBenefittoMe=Occupancy-related
MostBenefittoMe=See what others are doing
MostBenefittoMe=Structural
FeedBack=Great site! Helps to have a sounding board and feed back to know that there are others with similar situations and dilemmas.
Scott (Houndman1)
Name=Gary Lampella
Profession=Building Official
City=Tigard, OR
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=2 (Very Good)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions, Construction Type, Fire Resistive Const., Occupancy-related
Name= Jurgen Dostert
Profession= Other
City=Oakland, CA
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=5 (Fair)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=ADA & Access
Name= Daniel Markey
Profession=Designer
City=San Jose, CA
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=ADA & Access, Building Code Discussions, Fire Resistive Const., Occupancy-related

Name=NAT
Profession=Facilities Manager
City=ESSEX, U.K.
SiteLayout=3 (Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=1 (Best)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
IwillBookMarkYourSite=Yes

Name=Daniel L. Miller
Profession=Architect City=Dayton, Ohio
DiscussionsLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions

Name=Joel Baker
Profession=Building Official
City=Roanoke, Virginia
DiscussionsLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=2 (Very Good)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
MostBenefittoMe=Fire Resistive Const.

Name=Mike Montgomery
Profession=Architect
City=Phoenix, AZ
DiscussionsLayout=1(Best)
EaseofSiteNavigation=1 (Best)
EaseofSigningUp=1 (Best)1
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=ADA & Access
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
MostBenefittoMe=General Information
MostBenefittoMe=Occupancy-related
FeedBack=This site is quite easy to navigate, but I also like the way the icbo.org site is structured, in that the discussion thread appears in a new window with the original question and all responses visible at the same time. This lets the reader just scroll back and forth, instead of having to leave one message to read the next. I like the e-mail notification when a response is posted.

Name=Chuck Saunders
Profession=Other
City=Overland Park, KS
DiscussionsLayout=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSiteNavigation=2 (Very Good)
EaseofSigningUp=2 (Very Good)
HelpfulInfoFound=1 (Best)
MostBenefittoMe=Building Code Discussions
MostBenefittoMe=Structural



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