Structural Plan Review

General Understanding
Lesson 1

1 of 85 Updated: December 2016

 Introduction

Instructors:

Dennis Clark, Field Training Coordinator- BCD

Office: (503) 378-2207 / Cell: (503) 881-5776
E-mail: Dennis.L.Clark@oregon.gov

Class Objective:
To ensure that successful graduates have a working knowledge of the
Oregon Residential Specialty Code structural and plan review .

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 Purpose of a Structural Plan Review

Protection of life, health and property

Comply with code requirements

Comply with applicable standards

Use of appropriate materials

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 Protection of Life, Health and Property

Comparison of recent earthquakes

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 Difference between codes

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 Protection of Life, Health and Property
Damage due applied loads

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Use of Appropriate Materials

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 Codes and Standards

Oregon Structural Specialty Code OSSC

International Residential Code IRC
Oregon Residential Specialty Code ORSC
Referenced Standards

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 Oregon Residential Specialty Code

Answers how?
Prescriptively specifies
construction

Cookbook with limits

Based on historic data,

typical materials &
standard house types

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 Statutory Duties of an Inspector

ORS 455.715
A person, including a plans examiner, acting
under the authority and direction of a
building official and charged with the
responsibility of routine enforcement of one
or more specialty codes or parts of specialty
codes.

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 Roles of Inspector/Plans Examiner

Ensuring minimum code is met

Provide flexible solutions to meet intent of code
when appropriate
Focus on fire/life safety and load paths
Correction needed? Write it and cite it
Maintain certifications and continuing education
Enforce all appropriate building code statutes and
rules
Keep division up to date on address changes
Assist in BCD investigations

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 Legislative Guidance For Building
Departments
455.015
Proceed quickly and efficiently
Be flexible and responsive
Encourage economic development
Encourage experimentation and innovation
Ensure the cost effectiveness in construction.

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 Inspector Should be Familiar With

Oregon Revised Statutes

Oregon Administrative Rules
Oregon Specialty Codes
Statewide Interpretations
Statewide Alternate Methods
Directives and Orders from Division

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 Certification
ORS 455.715 to 455.740 OAR 918-098
All must have a valid Oregon Inspector
Certification and the appropriate certification
from the division for the work being
performed.
Persons who hold an Oregon certification
must act in the public interest in performing
their duties. OAR 918-098 contains specific
elements certified persons must comply
with.

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 Certification (cont.)

ORS 455.740 allows the division to

deny, condition, suspend, revoke or
refuse to renew a certification for failure
to act in the public interest or violations
of ORS Chapter 455.

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 Avoid Potential Conflict of Interest

"Potential conflict of interest means any action,

decision or recommendation by an inspector where
the decision could lead to monetary gain ,
pecuniary benefit or detriment of the inspector or
relative, or business where the inspector or relative
is associated unless the benefit or detriment arises
out of:
(a) An interest or membership is required by law or as a
requirement to have job.
(b) Action affects everyone in the class equally
(c)Membership is related to a tax-exempt nonprofit
corporation

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 What does that mean?
Do not have your own construction or
construction development firm that performs work
in Oregon
Do not inspect your own work or perform plan
reviews on it
Do not go to work for a construction contractor or
developer on the side
Family members can not benefit from your
position

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 Role of Plan Reviewer

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 YOUR CAREER PATH FOR SUCCESS
STRUCTURAL

WALL BRACING
RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL
PLAN REVIEW ENERGY
CORE
REHABILITATION

PLUMBING
RESIDENTIAL
INSPECTION MECHANICAL &
FUEL GAS

ELECTRICAL
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 Class Objectives
1.Perform residential plan
review.
2.Create personal checklist
3.Know code - be qualified
to answer customer
questions
4.Develop resource list

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 3.Roofs

4.Walls

5.Floors
6.Ftgs
And Fnds
2.Life safety and
1.General info
energy
Chapter 1
Chapters 3 and 11

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 General Information

Topics
1. Role of the plan reviewer
2. Scope of the ORSC
3. Permits
4. Construction documents

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 Topic #1: Plan Reviewers Job

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 Plan Reviewers Role

ENFORCER
BUT not a COP

TEACHER

FACILITATOR

YOU ARE NOT AN

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 How do others see you?

What color of light hangs over your desk?

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 Scope of the Oregon Residential Code

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 Scope of the Oregon Residential Code
1 and 2 family dwelling
Townhouses
With maximum 3 stories
above grade
Separate means of
egress

2 family dwelling
(Duplex)

Single family
dwelling Townhouse

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 2 Family Dwelling (Duplex)

Duplex
Structure for two families
Separate means of egress
One common wall
3 stories above grade
Separated vertically or
horizontally

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 Townhouse
Townhouse
Single family dwelling
3 attached units
3 stories above grade
Exit to public way or
yard
Open 2 sides

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 Topic #3: Permits

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 Submission Package

Construction
documents
Specifications
Calculations
Evaluation Reports
Other supporting
documentation

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 Review Procedure

Compare: Structural
Drawings Compatibility
Review: Construction
Documents Code Data
Follow: load path of
structural elements

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 Review Procedure

Material specifications: general notes shall list

materials and properties, etc.
Structural loads shall be noted on drawings
per ORSC: Section R301.1.
Floor live load
Roof live load
Earthquake design data
Roof snow load
Wind design data Flood design data

Special loads

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 Overview
Receive Plans
Permit Tech. tracks in Plan
Submission Package Submittals
Typical Materials
Routes plans to Plans
Review Examiner
Procedure
Plans Examiner reviews
plans for Code

Permit Tech. inputs results

and calculates plans check
fees. If required, correction
letters are typed

Plans returned to customer

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 Exempt From the Permit
Work exempt from permits

Play
Sidewalks
Equipment
Parking

Farm Buildings

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 Farm Building
Must be built to conform to land use.

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 Farm Building
IT MUST BE A WORKING FARM!!!

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 Skill Check
Is the farm house exempt from permits?

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Is the farm house exempt from permit?

A. Yes
B. No
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 Skill Check

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 Skill Check
Is this barn exempt from the code?

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 Is this barn exempt from the code?

A. Yes
B. No
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 Skill Check

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 Permits Required
Type of work
New construction
Alteration
Conversion
Repair
Change of
occupancy
Move lot line

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 Exemptions From Permitting
Detached accessory structures

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 Exemptions From Permitting
Framed-covered non-habitable accessory
buildings
500 sqft
One story in height

R105.2

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 Exemptions From Permitting
Fences not over 7 feet
Unless used as a pool barrier as required in
Appendix G

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 Exemptions From Permitting
Ramps serving entrances
Temporary
30 inches above grade

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 Exemptions From Permitting
Temporary ramps

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 Exemptions From Permitting
Work deemed by B.O. to be minor and
ordinary.
Windows/doors
Appliances (except gas)
Roof coverings
Cabinetry & interior finishes
Replacement or repair of siding
Gutters and downspouts
Masonry repair

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Topic #4: Construction Documents

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 Required Documents
When required by the Building Official:
Application
Site plan
Soil report
Drawings
Flood Zones
Other

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 Required Documents
Other possible expectations for plans:
Scaled plans
RDP Seals
Legible
Quantity
Reversed plans
Master plans/files
ePlans
Other attachments As required by the
B.O.
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 Plan Review

Also refer to ORS 455.467

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 Plan Review Comments

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 Plan Review Comments

OAR 918-098-1900
Citation Requirement Effective January 1, 2006

In addition to any other requirements set forth in statute and

rule, beginning January 1, 2006, all inspectors and plans
examiners certified under Division 098, OAR 918-225-0540,
918-281-0020 918-695-0400, and ORS 460.055 issuing
corrective notices at construction sites or to buildings or related
appurtenances during a plan review must adequately cite the
applicable specialty code sections, Oregon administrative rules,
or statutes whenever a re-inspection is required as a result of
the inspection or plan review.

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 Plan Review

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 Review of Lesson 1
Role of plan reviewer
Facilitator
Scope of the ORSC
1and 2 family
townhouses
Permits
Exempt from code
Exempt from permitting
Construction documents
Required documents

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 Skill Check
These six units are 2 stories in height. Can these
be considered townhouses?

ELEVATION VIEW AERIAL VIEW

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 Skill check
These six units are 2 stories in height. Can
these be considered townhouses?

A. Yes
B. No
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 Skill Check

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 Skill Check
Would you say the car shelter
1. Its exempt from the code
2. Its exempt from permitting
3. It requires a permit

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 Skill Check
Which of the following is true of this car
shelter?
A. It is exempt from code
B. It is exempt from permit
C. It requires a permit

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 Skill Check
ORSC R105.2

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 Skill Check
BUILD A 200 SQFT STORAGE SHED
1. Its exempt from the code
2. Its exempt from permitting
3. It requires a permit
4. Depends

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 Skill Check
BUILD A 200 SQFT STORAGE SHED
1. Its exempt from the code
2. Its exempt from permitting
3. It requires a permit
4. Depends

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 Skill Check # 1.5

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 Skill Check
List 6 documents that might
be required for plan review

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 Skill Check Answer
R106.1.1

1. Floor plans, elevations, sections, notes

2. Soil report
3. Beam calculations
4. I-joist layouts
5. Truss layout and detail sheets
6. Wall bracing layouts and calculation sheets
7. Manual J, D, S
8. Application
9. Checklist

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 Skill Check
Rewrite the better comment

EXAMPLE
DHCD
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 Skill Check
What should the plan reviewer do?

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 Skill Check
What should the plan reviewer do?

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