Failed Inspection

JIMBO_2

Thank you for being so reasonable and honest. I do know the inspector's name is John, but tha's all. I think my contractor is jumping too fast into an alternative plan. Granted he should have been aware of this possibility, yet he was not. I intend to talk with him in the morning. Hopefully we can find a reasonable way to solve this issue. Thus far the whole installation has been a nightmare for us. We are fixing this 100+ year old house up to move there, and it's a lot of work. Presently we are living an hour away, in Staten Island, which complicates the matter even more. Thank you very much.

JIMBO_2

Failed Inspection

I'd like to thank everyone for replying to my problem. My contractor tells me he "thought" the inspector would give him some leeway because the houses are very old and extremely close together (Neptune NJ). I don't know the exact reason for failure, but I didn't like the exhaust vent from the day they installed it. It's only about 7 or 8 inches off the ground, between two houses. I figured a snow drift would totally block its ability to breath. However, my contractor mentioned something about the noise it makes. He claimed to have installed a few dozen of these power vented CCIs before, with no problem. I must admit, it does make a little "noise" when running. A little less than a v-6 auto idling, fresh out of the show room. He already chopped a hole through our brick foundation wall for the vent. Now he's suggesting chopping another one, for a 5" b-vent. We don't want the chimney at all, let alone 2 of 'em. My wife is furious at all the other mishaps, this is the straw that brok the camels back. Someone suggested going to a 90% boiler that can be safely vented between the houses. But is it any quieter? Yes, I do have a contract saying that all work will be done to code. And I had absolutely no say in where they located the exhaust. If possible, I'd like to tell him to remove the 83% boiler, if a 90% will pass inspection (use it elsewhere if he can) and install a new higher efficiency unit that can pass inspection. I'm tempted to call the inspector and ask HIM what the whole story is. I need to do somethin before my wife gets ahold of my neck. Unlike several of my neighbors, who had out-of-area fly-by-nighters come in on a weekend and do a quick no-permit boiler installation, I hired a local contractor, he filed a permit, and did the work above board. Help?

Robert O'Connor_12

JIMBO

Is this in Neptune Township or Borough? Exactly what did it fail for? Did the inspector cite the code on his violation? The vent termination outside your house needs to be 1' (one foot) above the anticipated snow load/fall. In the Newark area, that equals= 6" (of snow) plus 1' (one foot), total = 1'-6" or 18" above grade. This probably doesn't help you out but as I see it the contractor had an obligation to you to install it to the code, why it was installed so low is a mystery to me. Were there any other violations noted? If the mechanic told you that complying with inspection might prove difficult/impossible because of field conditions and that there was a possibility of the job not passing code, this would of meant what? I personnally feel you should work with the company and pay half, if not all to correct it. If there was no communication about it "skating the line" then I belive the contractor needs to either make it right on their nickle. Where you given an alternative or was there any discussion of additional monies in case it didn't pass? and if so, was it in writing? From what you posted, they even wrote on the proposal that they would install to code.

Robert O'Connor/NJ

JIMBO_2

Thanks

Thanks, Bob, for asking. It is in the Township of Neptune. I spoke to the contractor again. He advises me that it is a "noise" issue, stating that the inspector felt the power venting would be too loud for the neighboring houses. However, the boiler has been runing since November, and no one has said a word about it. Prior to instalation, even during it, the contractor never so much as hinted that noise might be an issue. To me, I suppose it's really not much different than a family-sized clothes dryer running and venting through the wall, right?

Robert O'Connor_12

JIMBO

I never realized I was suppose to enforce noise ordinances too. Check with the township zoning officer (property maintence guy)or even the local police for the acceptable decible threshold limit. The CG1's are a little noisy (I have one in my own house but not direct,and using the existing chmney)but they aren't THAT loud (unless the fan is out of calibration) and this shouldn't be code issue anyway unless by chance the inspector does that other job too within your township. Are you friends with your neigbors on the offending side?? Ask them point blank whether or not this is of issue with them. Venting of direct vent equipment isn't easy. there are alot of things you MUST be aware of BEFORE you begin. There are ALOT of situations where you simply can't use them at all because the field condition make it cost prohibitive. So far it just sounds like the termination is too low. Without more info or pictures its hard to say. Is the guys name John Germann by chance? If so I understand he is a pretty fair guy. I don't know him but if I'm not mistaken I think I know his boss Bill Doolittle the Construction Official. His number is 732 988 5200 real nice guy.

Dave Yates (PAH)

Picking nits

"Granted he should have been aware of this possibility"

Why?

If, and I stress - if, the inspector is picking at nits, why should any installer know what to expect? Arbitrary rulings can't possibly be anticipated.

I don't mean to come off as defending the contractor, but I've witnessed too many inspectors ruling on whims to suit their mood or tastes. The inspector owes you both a ruling in writing with the specific violation identified and tied to a passage in the codes.

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adayton_2

NOISE

should not be an issue as long as it is below the decibels limit which is usually clearly stated in Town Codes AND as long as your neighbors do not find it annoying. Robert O'Connor, are there any standard methods for "muffling" the output a little bit to further reduce the decibel level?

Anthony Menafro

Citing codes

In the industry, there's a saying" You can't cite it unless you can write it". The inspector owes the contractor the code section that he's violating or he can't fail the job. When a job is failed, the inspector is supposed to cite the code infraction on the failure sticker(they never do this) and file it with their office as well. The inspector should help you along instead of making you fish for answers.

Anthony Menafro

Robert O'Connor_12

adayton

I'm unaware of any muffler for a CGi but if there was one and it was approved I sure could find a few homes for them including my own.

Robert O'Connor/NJ

Robert O'Connor_12

Dave

Agree.

Robert O'Connor/NJ