Using Foam Under Footings

[Dylan Lamar]

Hi Everyone,

As we're moving forward with the PCUN Passive House office building (Woodburn, OR), we're getting held up by a code official who wants to see some testing documentation or manufacturer's install instructions regarding the use of foam under footings. We've called around to manufacturer's but haven't been able to find an ICC report that clearly defines such a use.

Has anyone else experienced this problem and do you have any such documentation or advice?

The detail in question is using foam under the thickened "footing" portion of a thickened edge slab. Our structural engineer has stamped the detail but he building inspector still insists on seeing some testing data or manufacturer's installation instructions approving foam for use under a load bearing footing. It doesn't seem to matter to him that the foam has greater compressive strength than the soil.

Also if anyone has construction photographs of foam going in under footings and/or construction drawings showing the detail that might be the most helpful thing. If we can demonstrate a number of projects in various areas that are doing this I think he might be put more at ease.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

(And if you're able to send photos/drawings you might send them directly to me to avoid bothering folks with a lot of big emails)

Thanks,
Dylan

--
Dylan Lamar | BSCE | M Arch | CPHC
Architectural and Energy Consultant
Green Hammer Design | Build | Energy
ph: (503) 804-1746 ext: 4 | fx: (503) 232-7924
1323 SE 6th Avenue | Portland, Oregon 97214
www.greenhammer.com

[Martha Rose]

Dylan,

 

Will your structural engineer sign off on that phase of your project? Usually, if you are willing to pay for a private qualified inspector, the Codes allow for that. Not on this issue, but we have satisfied building inspectors by letting the engineer take responsibility for a particular aspect of a construction job. Confirm with your engineer first and then Tell your inspector that you will have your engineer do that inspection.

 

former Seattle building inspector,

 

Martha Rose

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Passive House Northwest" group.
To post to this group, send email to Passive...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to PassiveHouseN...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/PassiveHouseNW?hl=en.

--
Check out http://martharoseconstruction.com/forsale/fishsingerplace/splash/ - 2 homes left

Martha Rose Construction, Inc.
206-784-0147 office
206-406-4395 cell

[Albert Rooks]

HI Dylan,

Take a look at Linda's blog at: http://existingresources.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/seattle-passive-house-et-foams-home/  It covers Dan Whitmore's Project from the beginning. This link is in the area where he was "foaming" and "pouring".

I've also got more pics of that stage that I think I got from Linda. I'll send them via your regular email.

Best of Luck,

Albert

Small Planet Workshop

[Markus Kolb]

Dylan, you may want to give Carissa Farkas a call – she managed to convince the Seattle building department to let Dan Whitmore use foam under his footings.

http://cfarkasstructural.com/

Good luck!

Cheers,

Markus

[GnormanTheGnome]

I've sent Dylan some additional pics as well.

Linda

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." Henry David Thoreau

[Rob Harrison AIA]

Pierce County gave us a permit with foam under the footings. Thurston County and City of Olympia have given Tessa permits also. Not that "they did it there" works very well as an argument, but might be at least reassuring to the official. 

Rob

Rob Harrison AIA :: Certified Passive House™ Consultant

HARRISON architects

1402 Third Avenue  Suite 515

Seattle, WA  98101-2120

206.956.0883

http://harrisonarchitects.com/

lyrical sustainable design

[Dylan Lamar]

Thank you all so much for your help. Hopefully I'll see you at the conference and I'll let you know how it goes.

Best,
Dylan

[Albert Rooks]

I just sent about 6 great pics.

One with Dan pouring (complete w/ funny look on his face.)

They are big files. If you don't get them let me know.

-a.

On Oct 22, 2010, at 11:53 AM, Markus Kolb wrote: