For information relevant to South Carolina Inspectors and Contractors please visit the "SC Building Departament Page" link located at the index to your right.

South Carloina- CURRENT NEWS:

Budget Proviso 182 has been approved.  The Proviso requires the 2003 IRC, all 2003 IRC state modifications and the corresponding wind/seismic maps to remain in place until July 1, 2009.  Local jurisdictions cannot apply for local modifications to use the 2006 IRC.

The International Building , Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas and Energy Conservation Codes will be implemented as scheduled on July 1, 2008.

On February 27, 2008, the Building Codes Council adopted an emergency modification requiring the use of the residential elevator provisions contained in the 2006 International Residential Code.  At that time, the Council intended for those provisions to be used until the 2006 IRC was implemented.  The modification (E 2006-01) and a notice were sent from my office to all building inspection departments and interested parties.  Those documents were prepared with the anticipation that the 2006 IRC would be implemented on July 1, 2008 and referred to that date.  With the implementation of the 2003 International Residential Code delayed until July 1, 2009, however, the modification and notice required updating to remain accurate.  Both updated documents are attached.

All construction projects, for which a completed building permit application is filed with the Building Inspection Department by the close of business on the last business day before the implementation date, may be constructed under the applicable 2003 International Codes.

      Doles Services is committed to bringing  a concise grouping of technical information to the fingertips of Building Inspectors, Contractors and Consumers and the Do-It-Youself (DIY) group.
    Click on a tab to your right for quick access to many timely topics.
      It is only through these efforts that a uniform yet concise sharing of information is achieved. This site is a quick reference for the code professional.

      
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     Several sites to the right are for your quick reference.

    EXAMPLE: The Code states , in part “ Residential Clothes Dryers are to be installed per manufacturers installation guide”. Yet what does the guide say. Dryer vents should terminate 12-inches above a surface or object. Yet the code refers to the manufacturer. Click on " Dryer Vents" : you will see the leading manufacturers all require the 12-inch criteria.

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Committed to  providing a quick resource to building inspectors this web site contains many informative pages which may be accessed by clicking on the appropriate subject to your right in the navigation menu. Such subjects as:

Technical                        Informative                           For fun _________________________________________________________________ 
ADA
Crawl Spaces                  Tragic Fire                            Pictures 
Concrete Cracking            Construction Standards           More Pictures 
Cross Connection             How to Build Stairs                 “I Hate My Contractor” CSST Piping                    MOLD !                                Top Ten Violations        Doors                              Formaldehyde
Dryer Vents                     Hardi Plank
Expansive Soils               Termites
HVAC                             Home Inspectors
Electrical Inspector            Stairs
Handrails & Guards           Vinyl Siding   
Stairs                              Studor Vents
Smoke Alarms                 Water Heaters
Range Tip-Over               Water Hammer   

Also, See ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING  for helpful information  for  a  successful building codes department.   
                                                           

    Education and Training is a staple of this site.

            I have added a little FUN too !! Click on the Pictures icon to left and see photographs of inspector misses and just funny stuff….

          Click of “ I Hate MY Contractor” for some true stories about bad and good contractors.

         See also  a page on Private Home Inspectors.

         We all secretly dream of being the brave firefighter who faces the “beast”- kicking in the door and rescuing the infant.

     But how much greater still a service if through education and enforcement we build a safer environment.

     A Fire is a failure. Either through human error or design. My dream is to see clean and polished fire trucks. Never needed. Firemen and women who never get injured because there is no fire to go to. It will never happen- but I can dream.

         We must educate the public as well as the professionals in the construction trades.

         Please visit our Guestbook with your thoughts and suggestions.

          To obtain training  information or  to offer general comments concerning this site please contact us at our E-Mail address;
   md@miketheinspector.com  




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                   Brief Bio:
                Contractor, Building Inspector, County Building Official, State Investigator. Certifications Include:

SBCCI CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Inspector

SBCCI Fire Inspector I

ICC Certified Building Official

ICC Building and Building Plans Examiner

ICC Plumbing and Plumbing Plans Examiner

ICC Mechanical and Mechanical Plans Examiner

ICC Electrical Inspector

ICC Combination Commercial Inspector

ICC Combination Residential Inspector

ICC Accessibility and Plans Examiner

National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) trained Inspector

FEMA Flood Plain Manger Certificate

SC Mechanical Contractors License

SC Private Home Inspector

Texas Journeyman Plumber  (1979: at the time 18 years old )

DHEC Cross Connection Control

Building Official Of The Year 2000 ( Upper-State Code Enforcement Officers Association) Past Vice President USCEOA