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<title>To all my professional associates</title>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I have a wonderful suggestion…why don’t we try to
answer the man’s original question instead of using it as an excuse to
unzip our pants?? I don’t disagree with most of the points
mentioned from either side but think they could be presented in a more
professional manner and then only after addressing the original question.
Whether you agree with it or not he is still operating within the code isn’t
he?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Just my humble suggestion to keep this as a forum and not a
chopping block.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Ken<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Residential Contractor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> codetalk-bounces@myfloridacode.com
[mailto:codetalk-bounces@myfloridacode.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Kuritzky<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 14, 2010 2:52 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Building Officials Association of Florida, Inc.;
codetalk@myfloridacode.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Florida Code Talk] To all my professional associates<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times","serif"'>Soap
box time....<br>
<br>
I am amazed at how, when I suggest architects <b>and engineers </b>should be a
required part of the residential design and document process, fully knowing the
exceptions in codes and statutes, how bizarrely defensive everyone gets, as if
the only thing I’m trying to push is some income source for architects or
engineers, or that I’m trying to put residential designer out of
business. I work with some excellent residential designers. So many
participants out there seem to think that Hurricane Andrew, which set in motion
the most radical code changes in the country, meant oh so little to residential
construction, as if I’m totally ignorant.<br>
<br>
Please. <br>
<br>
The residential exemption is purely political.<br>
<br>
And this repeated mantra that architects are ignorant of the codes, which
justifies their exclusion from residential construction. No one ever
suggests the less than qualified contractors or municipal representatives that
are equally represented in the ranks of the ‘less than
knowledgeable’ construction professionals.<br>
<br>
Please. <br>
<br>
No branch of this industry is without it’s weak links.<br>
<br>
But those of us who are tested, educated and licensed know that there is a
regulatory board or two, a national licensing and code agency or three,
that we ultimately must answer to, besides our own conscience. Our
ability to practice what we do is subject to scrutiny, and can readily be taken
away.<br>
<br>
If I might be a bit of a smart ass for moment....(really, just this
once?)......architects and engineers don’t make the 15%-20% that many
builders make on homes (yes, when the economy is ticking away as it used
to...no one is making squat right now, including architects, so I don’t
want to hear about it. Homeowners all too often try to build their own
home to avoid that 15%-20% markup. Stupid as they are.). On the
best, biggest custom homes, they might make 10%. And they assume
remarkable liability, as we all are.<br>
<br>
At what point does adding a layer of protection for a few thousand dollars not
make sense in the construction of the biggest investment anyone makes....their
HOME.<br>
<br>
Should all those other little code requirements, which all cost something, be
routinely excluded from homes? Better windows, doors? Wind resistant
exteriors? Smoke detectors? Arc fault or GFI? Egress windows in bedrooms?<br>
<br>
History has shown that the industry has not collapsed from the ever increasing
costs placed on construction from ever more demanding codes. No one stops
buying homes. No one stops putting 60 inch plasma TV’s and Ford 350
dually’s in their garage, or bass boats, or jet skis, or anything else.
Yet everyone yells about the sky falling.<br>
<br>
But our responsibility is the security and safety of that home and it’s
contents, whatever it might be.<br>
<br>
And if architects and engineers are so ignorant of the codes, why not eliminate
them from all construction, and let those wonderful commercial contractors
design hospitals, hotels, city halls, commercial buildings, etc?<br>
Why? Because we actually do know what we’re doing more than we get
credit for.<br>
<br>
But we are no more perfect than everyone else. There are miscreants on
all professions, even architects and engineers. I have seen too
many building departments approve plan stamping by engineers of the most
offensive sets of plans. I’m reviewing a suit now on a multi-story condo
project, the plan approval of which should not have happened. But we are the
first, and usually the last line of defense. Once the building department
signs the CO, and the contractor’s company folds, it’s usually the
architects and engineers left standing to face the problems.<br>
<br>
But I digress, as usual.<br>
<br>
Those that know me should appreciate that my interest is in the public and the
quality of my own profession. I prepare better than average plans, I
consult with building departments, I respect and work with contractors, and my
obligation as a member of the Board of Architecture has required me to punish
far too many of my own profession to not comprehend all that is really
associated with what we do.<br>
<br>
So why should homes be excluded? Really, why? <br>
<br>
And $$$$ is not the answer.<br>
<br>
Thank you for your indulgence. I’ll go back to being quiet....for a
while.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<img width=483 height=410 id="_x0000_i1025"
src="cid:image001.jpg@01CADBFC.4A9B8C70"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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