B Johnson

I'll throw my .02 in. It's been my experience that including pictures in the body of the report, adjacent to the written description is the best way to get the point across. The downside is that it does take time. I also don't use any prepackage software as I have seen any that I like. I just use MS Word and convert to a .pdf file when finished. Most of my clients don't even bother with a written report. Works for me. It takes an hour (or two for the mor complicated ones) to compose everything. I use prepared statements for much of the recurring problems in the area (I don't think anyone actually reads the dishwasher requirement for a high loop or air gap) and the unique stuff requires a bit more input. The biggest problem with the HI software appears to be the inclusion of photos and the formating. Flame away, but I don't think they are very easy to read. But, to each their own.

B is for 'Boyd' True, a rural property is not necessarily a "farm". However, it does seem to describe what Scott observed. Farm in the NEC does not appear to be classified by anything other than buildings. I'm thinking it goes back to the original use or the AHJ to make the call as to what it is defined as. All I know is it through me for a loop the first time I saw it and upon further research, I discovered it was acceptable. However, Your Mileage May Vary. 547.2 Definitions Distribution Point. An electrical supply point from which service drops, service laterals, feeders, or branch circuits to agricultural buildings, associated farm dwelling(s), and associated buildings under single management are supplied. FPN No. 1: Distribution points are also known as the center yard pole, meterpole or the common distribution point. FPN No. 2: The service point as defined in Article 100 is typically at the distribution point.

Sorry for jumping into this a little late. I come across this fairly often here in ND. My first impression was the same as yours, that it was the Main Disconnect and all others are subpanels. Farms, however, fall into a category all their own in the NEC. The breaker on the pole is called a "Distribution Point". It's strange, but the downstream panels are not wired as subpanels. It's almost as though the farm and its buildings are their own little distribution network. More info can be found in 547 of the 2002 NEC.

You can vent through the soffit, but with the WI climate I'd be more inclined to recommend venting through the roof. The warm moist air wants to rise. So even though it's discharged to the outdoors below the soffit, it will want to rise towards the soffit again....especially in the winter time. If it were my house, I'd go with the vent through the roof.

swarga: Good idea! Note for future reference: The VSI does not offer tech assistance. They tell you to call the manf. Which is what I did. Certainteed confirmed that there is no written requirement, but they don't recommend installations where they could come into contact with the ground or splash area....so I guess that 6 inches is a good distance with vinyl as well. I mentioned that they might want to start putting the distance to grade requirement in their instructions. I'm not going hold my breath. So....no requirement....just common sense (Uh oh). Guess I'll just mention it as one of the 'while not a requirement...good idea/practice' calls. Thanks.

Thanks for trying, but 'nope'....that was the installation guide I referred to. Lots of good info on vinyl installation, but not a word about distance above grade.

Some of you may have seen this over at Inspection News. Does anyone know of black and white requirements for the grade to siding distance of steel or vinyl siding? I usually go with the 6" recommendation, but lately I've been seeing a lot of vinyl and steel right down to the grade. Seems like a bad idea, but so far I've struck out finding anything. The 'Vinyl Siding Installation How to Guide' has no mention of it (that I could see at least) nor do the IRC or IBC. Whether a requirement exists obviously changes the tone and wording in the report. Thanks