Header joist span - ANSWER-When the header joist span does not exceed 4 ft, the
header joist may be a single member of the same size as the floor joist.
Masonry chimney foundation thickness - ANSWER-Foundations for masonry chimneys
shall be constructed of concrete or solid masonry at least 9 in thick.
Notching of floor framing members - ANSWER-For floor framing, the tension side of
members of 2 in or greater in nominal thickness shall not be notched except at the end
of the members.
Concrete slab-on-grade minimum thickness - ANSWER-Concrete slab-on-grade floors
shall be a minimum of 4 1/2 in thick.
Hearth extension dimensions for fireplaces - ANSWER-On fireplace openings larger than
6 square feet, hearth extensions shall extend at least 20 in in front and at least 12 in
beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
Ceiling R-value in climate zone 6 - ANSWER-Ceiling R-values in climate zone 6 shall be
a minimum of R-49.
Designated climate zone for Dallas County, Texas - ANSWER-The designated climate
zone for Dallas County, Texas is 3A.
Bottom plate to stud fastening - ANSWER-Bottom plate to stud toe-nail fastening shall
use 4 8d common nails.
Nonabsorbent surface height for showers - ANSWER-Showers and bathtubs with
installed shower heads shall be finished with a nonabsorbent surface that shall extend
to a height of not less than 6 ft above the floor.
Insulation thermal resistance in wall cavities - ANSWER-Cavities within corners and
headers of frame wall shall be insulated by completely filling cavity with a material
having a thermal resistance of not less than R-3 per inch.
, Fire separation distance for exterior walls - ANSWER-Exterior walls with a fire separation
distance less than 5 ft shall have not less than one-hour fire-resistive rating with
exposure from both sides.
Load bearing wall - ANSWER-A wall supporting any vertical load in addition to its own
weight is a Load Bearing Wall.
Air space clearance for masonry chimneys - ANSWER-Any portion of a masonry
chimney located on the exterior of a building or within an exterior wall shall have a
minimum air space clearance to combustibles of 2 in.
Anchor bolt spacing - ANSWER-Anchor bolts shall be spaced a maximum of 6 ft on
center and no further than 12 in from each corner.
Authority to establish refund policy - ANSWER-The Building Official has the authority to
establish a refund policy in a building department.
Programmable thermostats cooling setpoint - ANSWER-Required programmable
thermostats for residential homes shall be programmed from the manufacturer to
maintain a cooling temperature setpoint of not less than 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Permits for retaining walls - ANSWER-Permits are not required for retaining walls that
are not over 4 ft in height unless supporting a surcharge.
Smoke alarms locations - ANSWER-Smoke alarms shall be required near each cooking
location, in each sleeping room, in attics, and in concealed locations.
Fasteners for asphalt shingles - ANSWER-Asphalt shingles shall be secured to the roof
with not less than 4 fasteners per strip shingle.
Concrete forming system - ANSWER-A concrete forming system using stay-in-place
forms of rigid foam plastic insulation, a hybrid of cement and foam insulation, a hybrid of
cement and wood chips, or other insulating material for constructing cast-in-place
concrete walls is called Insulating concrete form.
Air space for stone veneer - ANSWER-Stone or masonry veneer with wood stud backing
with metal strand wire shall be separated from sheathing by an air space of a minimum
of 1 in but not more than 4 1/2 in.
Braced walls thickness - ANSWER-The construction of braced walls may be of gypsum
board with a minimum thickness of 1/2 in.
Factory-built chimneys standards - ANSWER-Factory-built chimneys shall be listed and
labeled in accordance with UL 103.
Handrails space - ANSWER-Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less
than 1 1/2 in.
Weep holes diameter - ANSWER-Weep holes in masonry veneer shall not be less than
3/16 in in diameter.
Guards height for raised surfaces - ANSWER-Porches, balconies, ramps or raised floor
surfaces located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below shall have guards
not less than 34 in in height.
Concrete wall splice length - ANSWER-A concrete wall using number 4 rebar with a yield
strength of 40,000 psi, must have a minimum splice length or tension development
length of 12 in.
Gypsum board installation spacing - ANSWER-Water-resistant gypsum board shall be
permitted to be installed perpendicularly on ceilings where the framing spacing does not
exceed 24 in on center for 1/2 inch thick gypsum board.
header joist may be a single member of the same size as the floor joist.
Masonry chimney foundation thickness - ANSWER-Foundations for masonry chimneys
shall be constructed of concrete or solid masonry at least 9 in thick.
Notching of floor framing members - ANSWER-For floor framing, the tension side of
members of 2 in or greater in nominal thickness shall not be notched except at the end
of the members.
Concrete slab-on-grade minimum thickness - ANSWER-Concrete slab-on-grade floors
shall be a minimum of 4 1/2 in thick.
Hearth extension dimensions for fireplaces - ANSWER-On fireplace openings larger than
6 square feet, hearth extensions shall extend at least 20 in in front and at least 12 in
beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
Ceiling R-value in climate zone 6 - ANSWER-Ceiling R-values in climate zone 6 shall be
a minimum of R-49.
Designated climate zone for Dallas County, Texas - ANSWER-The designated climate
zone for Dallas County, Texas is 3A.
Bottom plate to stud fastening - ANSWER-Bottom plate to stud toe-nail fastening shall
use 4 8d common nails.
Nonabsorbent surface height for showers - ANSWER-Showers and bathtubs with
installed shower heads shall be finished with a nonabsorbent surface that shall extend
to a height of not less than 6 ft above the floor.
Insulation thermal resistance in wall cavities - ANSWER-Cavities within corners and
headers of frame wall shall be insulated by completely filling cavity with a material
having a thermal resistance of not less than R-3 per inch.
, Fire separation distance for exterior walls - ANSWER-Exterior walls with a fire separation
distance less than 5 ft shall have not less than one-hour fire-resistive rating with
exposure from both sides.
Load bearing wall - ANSWER-A wall supporting any vertical load in addition to its own
weight is a Load Bearing Wall.
Air space clearance for masonry chimneys - ANSWER-Any portion of a masonry
chimney located on the exterior of a building or within an exterior wall shall have a
minimum air space clearance to combustibles of 2 in.
Anchor bolt spacing - ANSWER-Anchor bolts shall be spaced a maximum of 6 ft on
center and no further than 12 in from each corner.
Authority to establish refund policy - ANSWER-The Building Official has the authority to
establish a refund policy in a building department.
Programmable thermostats cooling setpoint - ANSWER-Required programmable
thermostats for residential homes shall be programmed from the manufacturer to
maintain a cooling temperature setpoint of not less than 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Permits for retaining walls - ANSWER-Permits are not required for retaining walls that
are not over 4 ft in height unless supporting a surcharge.
Smoke alarms locations - ANSWER-Smoke alarms shall be required near each cooking
location, in each sleeping room, in attics, and in concealed locations.
Fasteners for asphalt shingles - ANSWER-Asphalt shingles shall be secured to the roof
with not less than 4 fasteners per strip shingle.
Concrete forming system - ANSWER-A concrete forming system using stay-in-place
forms of rigid foam plastic insulation, a hybrid of cement and foam insulation, a hybrid of
cement and wood chips, or other insulating material for constructing cast-in-place
concrete walls is called Insulating concrete form.
Air space for stone veneer - ANSWER-Stone or masonry veneer with wood stud backing
with metal strand wire shall be separated from sheathing by an air space of a minimum
of 1 in but not more than 4 1/2 in.
Braced walls thickness - ANSWER-The construction of braced walls may be of gypsum
board with a minimum thickness of 1/2 in.
Factory-built chimneys standards - ANSWER-Factory-built chimneys shall be listed and
labeled in accordance with UL 103.
Handrails space - ANSWER-Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less
than 1 1/2 in.
Weep holes diameter - ANSWER-Weep holes in masonry veneer shall not be less than
3/16 in in diameter.
Guards height for raised surfaces - ANSWER-Porches, balconies, ramps or raised floor
surfaces located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below shall have guards
not less than 34 in in height.
Concrete wall splice length - ANSWER-A concrete wall using number 4 rebar with a yield
strength of 40,000 psi, must have a minimum splice length or tension development
length of 12 in.
Gypsum board installation spacing - ANSWER-Water-resistant gypsum board shall be
permitted to be installed perpendicularly on ceilings where the framing spacing does not
exceed 24 in on center for 1/2 inch thick gypsum board.
