12-31-2009, 02:08 PM
Bob, The connection to the utility grid? Connections directly to the power lines, cable, phone and or to the water supply are typically done by the utility. I would allow anything that occurs within the boundaries of the property to be done by the OB with the exception of a utility line that is directly connected without junction to the utility main in question. This should be limited by virtue of only a few things. A septic system should be done by licensed contractors only; however, a cesspool would be well within the ability of the OB and should be acceptable.
Deep well drilling should not be allowed but through licensed contractors only.
With those 2 restrictions I would also add licensed engineering approval requirements on all occupied structure plans even for the OB situation. I would not include licensed Architect requirements for S.F. structures.
So, I would say number 4 with aforementioned restrictions as long as the connection preformed is limited to the end of the first branch junction from the main utility and on the OB’s property.
The above violates no property rights and observes all potential safety issues. I believe Geo thermal power plants etc will not fall under the OB s.f. structure situation and by default not allowed under the current statutes regardless.
The reasoning behind the aforementioned OB self performed restrictions are as follows.
The structural engineering is because the Federal government has mandated that all states need to adopt uniform building codes and the states have been leaning on the IBC codes.
Those codes require seismic, wind and snow requirements that are fairly complex with regard to intellectual comprehensions and they provide a given safety level for present and future occupants of a structure that is not unreasonable to call for. Thus, a structural engineer is required to verify a S.F. home plans structural safety requirements.
The septic system licensed contractor is to insure that this potential community health hazard system is done properly and the licensed contractor would be ultimately responsible for a failure of this system. Because a septic system is more complex with regard to methane gas entrapment and handling it is not something that should be allowed to be preformed by the OB. On the other hand… the common cesspool is a fairly foolproof system and as long as the state allows these not so clean systems to be used, there’s really nothing an OB can do to screw a cesspool up, especially if the cesspool hole and cover are inspected by the health district inspector to ensure they are present and within the code requirements.
The reasoning for the deep well drilling licensed contractor should be self apparent on a magma infested island... there are other good reasons for this requirement and they revolve around water quality and other safety related issues.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
Deep well drilling should not be allowed but through licensed contractors only.
With those 2 restrictions I would also add licensed engineering approval requirements on all occupied structure plans even for the OB situation. I would not include licensed Architect requirements for S.F. structures.
So, I would say number 4 with aforementioned restrictions as long as the connection preformed is limited to the end of the first branch junction from the main utility and on the OB’s property.
The above violates no property rights and observes all potential safety issues. I believe Geo thermal power plants etc will not fall under the OB s.f. structure situation and by default not allowed under the current statutes regardless.
The reasoning behind the aforementioned OB self performed restrictions are as follows.
The structural engineering is because the Federal government has mandated that all states need to adopt uniform building codes and the states have been leaning on the IBC codes.
Those codes require seismic, wind and snow requirements that are fairly complex with regard to intellectual comprehensions and they provide a given safety level for present and future occupants of a structure that is not unreasonable to call for. Thus, a structural engineer is required to verify a S.F. home plans structural safety requirements.
The septic system licensed contractor is to insure that this potential community health hazard system is done properly and the licensed contractor would be ultimately responsible for a failure of this system. Because a septic system is more complex with regard to methane gas entrapment and handling it is not something that should be allowed to be preformed by the OB. On the other hand… the common cesspool is a fairly foolproof system and as long as the state allows these not so clean systems to be used, there’s really nothing an OB can do to screw a cesspool up, especially if the cesspool hole and cover are inspected by the health district inspector to ensure they are present and within the code requirements.
The reasoning for the deep well drilling licensed contractor should be self apparent on a magma infested island... there are other good reasons for this requirement and they revolve around water quality and other safety related issues.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.