(a) All foundation walls shall be constructed of stone or pebble cement-concrete, stone or pebble concrete blocks, stone or brick. If built on the ground they must be on a solid bottom and at least three feet below the surface of the finished grade. Where, in the opinion of the Building Inspector, the soil is unsuitable for the foregoing provisions, he or she may require the further extension in depth of such foundation walls until suitable soil is reached, or require the foregoing foundation walls to rest on a spread-footing of such dimensions as he or she shall deem necessary.
(b) Where enclosing cellars or an excavation, foundation walls shall start at a point at least twelve inches below the finished cellar or excavation floor level. All cellars shall have a vertical clearance of seven feet between the finished floor level and the bottom of the first floor joists.
(c) Foundation walls must be carried to the top of first floor joists, or beams, and filled to full width except in buildings of frame construction. However, for small one-story buildings or private garages without basements, foundation walls shall be constructed of such materials, depth and thickness as may be approved by the Building Inspector. In no case shall foundation walls be less than eight inches in thickness nor less than eighteen inches in depth.
Cement-blocks or brick must be constructed of standard cement as follows: materials, one part cement, one and one-half parts sharp sand, two and one-half parts crushed stone, gravel or slag.
(d) In all cases where, in the opinion of the Building Inspector, the soil is not sufficiently solid to bear the weight of the construction, and where it has been determined by the said Building Inspector that a spreadfooting shall be built, then such footing shall be constructed of stone or brick laid in cement mortar, or of stone or pebble cement-concrete, with or without steel reinforcement. The design of footings shall be such that the loads sustained per unit of area shall be as nearly uniform as possible and within the bearing capacities of soil set forth in the following table, to wit:
Soft clay | 1 ton per sq. ft. |
Firm clay, fine sand or layers of sand and clay, wet | 2 ton per sq. ft. |
Clay or fine sand, firm and dry | 3 ton per sq. ft. |
Hard clay, course sand, gravel, dry | 4 ton per sq. |
Hard pan | 8 to 16 ton per sq. ft. |
Hard rock | 30 ton per sq. ft. |
(e) In case of doubt as to the bearing capacity, tests shall be made and the footings designed accordingly. Whenever such tests shall be required by the Building Inspector, the same shall be made under his or her direction and the cost therefor borne by the permittee.
(Ord. 288. Passed 5-24-54.)