13-120-130 Workmanship test.

   (a)   Whenever there is reasonable doubt as to the stability or structural safety of a completed building or structure, or part thereof, for the intended use, the Building Commissioner may require a load test of the building unit or portion of the structure.

   (b)   Unless otherwise provided for in this Code, the structure under consideration shall be subjected to a superimposed load equal to two times the design live load which shall be left in position for a period of 24 hours. If during the test, or upon removal of the test load, the structure shows evidences of failure, the Building Commissioner shall order such reinforcement or modifications deemed necessary to insure adequacy of the structure for the rated capacity; or in lieu thereof, the Building Commissioner may determine the safe load capacity to which the structure shall be limited.

   (c)   The structure shall be considered to have successfully passed the test if the total deflection does not exceed the theoretical deflection computed by accepted engineering formulae, or if the total deflection exceeds the theoretical value, the structure shall be considered safe for the design load if it recovers 75 percent of the maximum deflection within 24 hours after removal of the test load.

(Prior code § 69-5.5; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 27; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 229; Amend Coun. J. 11-7-18, p. 88803, § 32)

13-120-140 Prefabricated construction.

   (a)   Definition. A prefabricated assembly is a building unit, the parts of which have been built up or assembled prior to incorporation in the building.

   (b)   Performance standards. Prefabricated construction shall comply with all requirements of this Code and with accepted engineering practice as to structural strength, fire resistance, weather resistance, durability, sanitation and other required qualities.

   (c)   Tests. Tests shall be required as provided in Section 13-120-080. The building commissioner may also require, when not available from existing authoritative test data, comparative tests of standard types of construction for similar uses.

(Prior code § 69-6; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 27; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)

13-120-150 Exterior wall materials.

   (a)   Exterior wall surfaces shall be of solid wood, or weather resistant materials not less resistant to moisture absorption than grade MW clay or shale brick as determined by ASTM C-62-97a.

   (b)   Any concrete masonry unit and mortar used in the construction of any part of any single-wythe exterior wall of any building containing a residential occupancy for which building plans have been submitted after the effective date of this ordinance:

      (1)   shall have integral water repellant included in the manufacturing process and all joist- mixed mortar shall have a compatible water repellant added to the mixture; and

      (2)   shall meet the “excellent” rating when tested in accordance with ASTM E514. Standard Method of Test for Water Permeance of Masonry.

      Any concrete masonry unit or mortar used in the construction of any part of any multi-wythe exterior wall of any building containing a residential occupancy shall not be required to comply with the aforementioned provisions of this paragraph (b).

   (c)   Exterior walls constructed of concrete masonry units shall have flashing, weep holes, sealants and caulking which prevent the accumulation of water within the wall assembly and provide a means for draining water that enters the assembly to the exterior so as to prevent moisture from passing beyond the exterior wall cladding or veneer and entering the interior of the exterior wall.

   (d)   Wall anchors and metal veneers shall be of noncorrosive materials, or shall be protected by corrosive resistant treatment acceptable to the building commissioner.

(Prior code § 69-7; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 5-17-00, p. 32653, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 7-25-01, p. 64905, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 27; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)

13-120-160 Welded construction.

   When welded construction is used the owner or his representative shall furnish to the building commissioner a certificate from a laboratory of recognized standing certifying that all welding of all structural members was done under its inspection and meets all requirements of the architect's or structural engineer's design drawings and specifications, and further that all welders were certified by a laboratory of recognized standing.

   Upon completion of all structural welding operations, the contractor responsible for the fabrication and erection of the structure shall furnish to the building commissioner a certificate showing that the fabrication and erection of such welded structure, including those welds not inspected by the testing laboratory, have fulfilled the requirements of the architects or structural engineer's design drawings and specifications.

(Prior code § 69-8; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604); Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 27; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)