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General => General Forum => Topic started by: GW on November 08, 2007, 07:54:41 PM

Title: PWF foundation question
Post by: GW on November 08, 2007, 07:54:41 PM
I'm thinking of using a PWF crawlspace foundation because it looks easy for me to do myself. Does anyone know if it needs to be designed and stamped by an engineer? I'm going to be building the 20x30 1 1/2 story, location is in the Southern Cariboo in B.C. I think if I have to get an engineer involved it might not be worth it, any thoughts on this?
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: MountainDon on November 08, 2007, 08:10:01 PM
I'm certain we'll have some replies on this. But first a question to clear up the question a little.

Is this proposed structure going to be permited, inspected, etc? If so your best resource will be your local building inspection authority. If they say you must have it engineered, then that's what you'll need to do. Or do it some other way that they will allow you to do.

Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: GW on November 08, 2007, 10:30:32 PM
Unfortunately it does have to have permits. I checked our building codes today and this is what I found."Preserved wood foundations are to be designed and inspected by a professional engineer, registered to practice in the Province of B.C., unless such foundations, including lateral supports, conform to CAN3-5406, "Construction of Preserved Wood Foundations". The problem is I can't find any reference to CAN3-5406, I do know that alot of people do have PWF in B.C. I appreciate any info.
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 08, 2007, 11:09:25 PM
I think this PDF has all of the requirements of the code or should give you an idea of what they want.

If you ask they may let you build it to this or tell you if there are any changes.  Looks like the whole one is for sale a few places for $20 to $70.

://www.townofunity.com/permits/preservedwoodguide.pdf
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: MountainDon on November 08, 2007, 11:47:53 PM
That PDF is more than likely the very thing GW needs. If you look at the document it states....

"The following information required for the construction of Preserved Wood Foundations
(PWF's) is based on [highlight]CAN[/highlight]/CSA [highlight]S406[/highlight]-M92, "Construction of Preserved Wood Foundations"."


The [highlight]S[/highlight] in [highlight]S406[/highlight] could have been misread as [highlight]5[/highlight]406 somewhere along the line.   :-/  Or that could all be coincidence.

Lots of info there.  :)

Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 09, 2007, 12:28:48 AM
I'm also thinking that may be the case or it's an earlier copy - usually there are not many changes in something like this.
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: GW on November 09, 2007, 12:41:20 AM
I think your right about 5 being an S, that would explain why I could not find any information. Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: MountainDon on November 09, 2007, 12:44:56 AM
Anytime!  :)  We try to help out.  :D
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: desdawg on November 09, 2007, 07:23:26 AM
I never cease to be amazed at how you guys lay your hands on this kind of information. I am impressed. Maybe I will have to become a G :o :oGLER meself.
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 09, 2007, 11:19:13 AM
For that one Itried the exact wording of the title - complete then went through the results.

Put your Googles on desdawg, so you can see how we do it.  Just be sure you don't grab the beer Googles.  Makes it hard to see. :-/
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: desdawg on November 10, 2007, 06:56:10 AM
No beer here Glenn. Gave all that stuff up about 20 years ago.
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 10, 2007, 08:32:20 AM
Yeah -I drink one or 2 every month or two.  Just gives me a headache and the sniffles.   Guess I'm allergic to the preservatives.  :-/
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: peter nap on November 10, 2007, 09:30:58 AM
When I was in college, I had one in each hand most of the time.
When I had kids, I slacked off to one or two a year.
When I got old........well, I drank a beer at the Celtic Festival a couple of weeks ago.......and fell asleep :'(
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 10, 2007, 09:37:00 AM
You are right up there with me.  I usually have a beer or malt cooler in the fridge but it stays there most of the time because I don't want to fall asleep. :-/
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: MountainDon on November 10, 2007, 11:15:34 AM
No preservatives in home made beer.

Just as sleep inducing though.

I do love a frosty icy cold bottle in the summer after a hard days work. Just before my nap, of course.
Title: Re: PWF foundation question
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 10, 2007, 11:31:50 AM
I think if I make it again sometime I would like to sprout my own barley seed rather than buying concentrated malt.