Code Connection Etiquette
Responding to the Code Connection Journal:
Your host will be making regular posts for your enrichment. Your comments and suggestions are welcome! Occasionally your host will "yield the floor" to a guest commentator. This is not just another bully pulpit for spouting off. The goal is to provide meaningful and thought provoking advice and opinions about codes, design, construction, contracting, government and other issues of the day.
In the Code Forum:
You're here because you or someone else is in panic mode and needs help. Relax. Please think of this as a friendly but public space like your favorite neighborhood coffee house. Be courteous and professional. No cursing or yelling. Offenders will be banned from access to the site. Keep your questions and comments clear and concise. Please limit the use of acronyms because some of our audience are rookies. If you're desparate, hit the panic button.
Question posting:
First of all, the only dumb question is one that isn't asked. This is your place to find HELP. Provide some context for code questions so we can provide the best answer and avoid needless follow-up questions. For example, if known or relevant, provide the Use Group, Construction Type, relevant code and section. If you are lost, provide some clues to the nature of your problem. Be patient - sometimes questions take a while to research.
Answer posting:
If you know the answer and want to help - go for it - regardless of your audience level. If responding to a Code Connection question the primary objective is to be FRIENDLY and HELPFUL. Where needed, quote part or all of the relevant code section(s) and an explanation or commentary that helps the user solve their problem. Please take note of the "audience" the question came from and respond accordingly. Be careful about giving partial answers that can be misleading. Code commentaries and code hearing documents are useful resources. If you think an answer needs clarification the panic room enables discussion threads where you can do this.
Comment posting:
Kudos and suggestions for this site are welcomed and encouraged! This is not a gripe site. No wining allowed. This is not a place to debate at length about the merits of a code section or potential code changes. Save those for the ICC Code hearings. Check out the Code Connection Journal for issues that are not directly code related.
E-mailing the host or other members:
If you have something confidential, personal, or negative to say its best to express it directly to the person concerned and not in a public forum like the Code Connection. If you have a special code problem that for some reason is not appropriate for public consumption because of privacy concerns I may be of limited help. It's usually best to talk to your local building official or plans examiner in that case. In any case I'll always respect your need for confidentiality. Our best resource for solutions is the membership of Code Connection so I may ask if you or I can restate your question or comment and post it in the discussion journal.
Legal Issues
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Yours in Life Safety,
Terry Welker AIA
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