Hawaiian Building Code Book

[tmyc]

Is there such a thing that I can buy. I don't need it on everything, but just different things that may be different than Michigan. I'd like to know more about post and pier code rules since my home is going to be 10 feet off the ground. Also, how to prepare the surface for footings, Electrical do's and don'ts, etc. If anyone can point to a book, that would be great. Thanks.

[Rob Tucker]

You would have to check with Building and Safety on precisely which code book(s) are in effect. There have been recent changes. Used to be the UBC and now i think it's the IRC. There are separate code books for building code, electrical code and plumbing code. lst set of building code books I bought cost about $200.

[Hotzcatz]

Your architect or draftsperson should draw up your blueprints to meet code. Basically, you tell them the house you want to build and they draw it up to meet code. There will be a lot of things different than Michigan, but look and see what the buildings around here look like and ask why they are different. One of the big things I can think of right now is roof overhangs. We have huge eaves here because we want to keep the sun (as well as the rain) off the sides of the house. Keeps them much cooler since the electric is too expensive to run A/C units. Ventilation is a good thing, you want the wind to go through your house. Not like Michigan, at all!

Putting your house ten feet in the air means long stairs to get into it. Might not be a house you want to grow old in if there are long flights of stairs. But ten feet in the air might get nicer views or better breezes.

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"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson

[OpenD]

Every county in Hawai'i (i.e., every island) uses different building codes. County of Hawai'i (Big Island, including Puna District)is based on UBC 1991, but with several recent modifications.

You CAN find it all on the internet, but it takes some digging. A place to start is: http://www.co.hawaii.hi.us/permits/info_const.html

OpenD

[tmyc]

I have plans from Trojan/Hpm now to meet code. Everything is just waiting for me to say When. I just wanted a set of code books to help me understand everything. You get the plans... but the details NO. For starting... Just an example... you don't just place the piers on the ground over weeds, grass etc. There are details. I want to know those details. I have 4 foot overhangs around the entire house. I understand about the stairs. I have a two story house in Michigan.

My only concern right now is the proposed Makai(Race track, Noise producer, Crime getaway, etc)through HPP... thats exactly what that will turn into.

[Rob Tucker]

For a plan to be approved they will need to include adequate details. It sounds like you are just looking at floor plan and elevations.

[David M]

As I recall, my final, permitted plans had a bunch of sheets attached that called out all the appropriate code references. I believe this might have been a common attachment by the county and they checked off the applicable items that pertained to my plans.

David

Ninole Resident

[Hotzcatz]

Most folks just clear away the grass and loose soil and plop the pier block down. I think you are supposed to go for "undisturbed" soil, so if you dig up the area don't put the soil back. You can pour some gravel there and tamp it down, but don't dig and then put the soil back in the hole before doing that. If you've spread cinders all over, you'll have to remove the cinders from under your footings.

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"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson

[hotinhawaii]

Building plans I have worked with typically do not include enough details to meet every code. This is one of the reasons why people hire a licensed contractor who is familiar witht the relevant codes and local interpretations of that code.

[ericlp]

I hate to say it... But being hawaii, I'm sure the inspectors aren't all on the same page. One may gig you for this, yet, one might pass you for the same thing. Just don't look at them wrong and maybe they won't find anything. Look hard enough and I'm sure they could find all kinds of things. I suppose that it doesn't just happen in Hawaii, but it's just seems that way to me. Another reason to get someone who is licensed and knows the hoops and what they look for most. Maybe just hire someone to let you in on the secrets and pay them for a few days worth of work to look over your work. I dunno does a case of beer still work for passing?